Moscow - The deputy prime minister of the Russian province of North Ossetia and his driver were fatally shot in an attack Wednesday, reported the Interfax news agency, citing the North Ossetian Interior Ministry.

No details were available about the attack on North Ossetian Deputy Prime Minister Kasbek Pagiyev. The attack in the north Caucasian province is believed to be linked to the November murder of Vitali Karayev, the mayor of Vladikavkaz. Pagiyev held that position before Karayev.

North Ossetia borders the breakaway Georgian republic of South Ossetia. Political tensions run high through the entire Caucasus region, with almost daily clashes between rebel groups, criminal bands and police units in the other Caucasian republics of Chechnya and Ingushetia. (dpa)