Security forces in the restive Russian North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia say they killed three militants during a special operation.
Local law enforcement said the operation was launched during the evening of December 28 at a village in the Sunzhensk district.
Security forces moved on the three suspects as they sat in a vehicle. When called upon to surrender, the three opened fire from the vehicle and were killed when security forces returned fire.
Local authorities have identified all three men, saying the oldest was 28 and that all were suspected of membership in an illegal armed group that had carried out "terrorist attacks" in Ingushetia.
Violence is common in Russia's North Caucasus region, which includes the restive republics of Daghestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Chechnya.
Armed criminal and Islamic extremist groups continue to operate in region.
