"A clash took place in a wooded area near the village of Bamut of the Achkhoi Martan district last night," the source said. "Russian Defense Ministry troops encountered a militant group and a gunfight ensued. One contract serviceman was fatally wounded and three others were hospitalized with lighter injuries."
The militants escaped into the woods, and the troops shelled the area, he said, adding the search for the armed group resumed this morning.
In the Chechen town of Argun, police detained a local resident when he attempted to throw a grenade at officers, a police official said.
The apparently drunk man was stopped for a document check. A criminal case has been opened against the resident, who could face a prison term of up to 20 years for an attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer.
Large-scale military operations are over in the North Caucasus republic, but separatists continue to carry out raids on federal troops and Kremlin-backed police and authorities. Violence often spills into neighboring Russian regions.
