Moscow  - At least six people were killed in the Russian republic of Chechnya when a firefight broke out as government special forces approached a hideout of Islamist rebels, the Interfax news agency reported Friday.

Four government forces and two rebels were killed in Thursday night's operation, authorities told Interfax.

The deaths were reported as violence in the northern Caucasus Mountains has spiked recently.

Also on Thursday night in the neighbouring republic of Dagestan, at least 14 people - four police officers, three suspected rebels and seven young women - were killed when masked gunmen sprayed a police post and an adjacent sauna with gunfire.

Attacks and kidnappings in the predominantly Muslim region have killed a number of high-ranking government officials and human rights workers.

The violence involves both criminal gangs and Islamic extremists who are fighting to end Russian dominance. (dpa)