3 dead after gunmen attack police in Russia

Two gunmen and a police officer were killed in a shootout at a traffic checkpoint in Russia's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia on Sunday, Interfax news agency reported.

Two assailants attacked the traffic checkpoint at around 5:30 p.m. Moscow time (1430 GMT) and they were killed in an exchange of fire, Interfax said, citing a national anti-terrorism committee statement.

One police officer was killed and another two injured. No civilians were hurt during the armed clash.

The North Caucasus region is a hotbed of insurgency, with separatists and extremists frequently attacking governmental, military and police facilities as well as civilians.