Suspected Militant Leader Killed in N. Caucasus 

(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) A suspected militant leader has been killed in Russia's North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK) said on Thursday. Three people were killed in a shootout with law-enforcers in the republic's Baksan district, Russia's News Agency (RIA Novosti) reported.

"Three men driving a car opened fire and threw grenades at law-enforcers, who ordered the vehicle to stop after being informed that its passengers might be militants," the committee said in a statement. "During a special operation to chase and detain the gunmen all people in the car were killed," the statement reads.

One of those killed was 26-year-old, a suspected militant leader who has been on the federal wanted list since 2010. He is suspected of extortion and several murders, including the murder of seven law-enforcers, attempted murder of a district administration chief and the killing of a female folk healer.

The other two car passengers, both aged 23, were also wanted for suspected involvement in several serious crimes in the republic.

Police seized grenades and a homemade bomb from the car the trio was travelling in.