Serviceman killed in Ingushetia

One Russian serviceman was killed and five others were wounded in a grenade and automatic weapons attack against their armored personnel carrier in Ingushetia, the Interior Ministry said.

The Wednesday night attack took place as the Interior Ministry troops were returning to their base in the area of Nazran, Ingushetia's principal city, a ministry statement said.

Ingushetia sees frequent small-scale attacks on police and servicemen. The republic borders Chechnya, where separatists and Russian soldiers have fought two wars since 1994, and Chechen militants are believed to frequently cross into Ingushetia to aid local insurgents.

In Chechnya, an Interior Ministry squadron clashed with a group of about 15 insurgents, but no injuries were reported, the Chechen branch of the ministry said.