4 dead in shootout in southern Russia

Four people have been killed and three wounded in a shootout in the town of Nazran, former capital of the Republic of Ingushetia in southern Russia, the Russian Investigative Committee said Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

"A shootout with the use of firearms between a group of local residents has occurred, as a result of which four men were killed and three were taken to a medical institution with injuries of varying severity," the Ingushetia division of the committee said in a statement.

The committee has opened a criminal case on the grounds of the murder of two or more persons committed by a group, the statement said.

Currently, investigators are working at the scene of the incident to establish its circumstances, it said.

Local media reported that the conflict, in which up to 15 people were involved, broke out over a dispute among relatives on the ownership of a plot of land.

The deceased included a policeman and a National Guard officer, media reported.