27.10 3 Killed in North Caucasus Shootout � Police

PYATIGORSK, October 27 (RIA Novosti) � Three people were killed Saturday during a shootout in the town of Nazran in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia, a spokesman for the regional Interior Ministry department said.

�Two masked people opened fire on a police officer at 12:45 Moscow Time. The officer opened return fire,� the spokesman said.

�As a result of the shootout, two attackers were killed, and a woman who was on the site was wounded and later died in a hospital,� he said.

The police officer has been detained pending clarification of circumstances.

Earlier reports said the shootout was started by Ingush residents after a bride was allegedly kidnapped. Bride kidnapping is a practice still common in the Caucasus and Central Asia. It is illegal in most countries.

An investigation is under way.