3 Chechen police officers killed by blast

NAZRAN, Russia, May 26 (UPI) -- A land mine exploded in the Russian republic of Ingushetia, killing three Chechen police officers, a law enforcement source told ITAR-TASS.

The source told the Russian news agency the blast occurred in the community of Datykh shortly before 11 p.m. Monday Moscow time when the officers triggered a trip-wire connected to the explosive device.

The officers were part of a joint special operation being conducted by personnel of the Ingushetian and Chechnya Interior Ministries who were trying to find and apprehend members of illegal armed groups, ITAR-TASS said.