Moscow  - At least eight rebel militia were killed and three policemen injured in clashes in the Russia's northern Caucasus region, government officials reported Friday.

In the autonomous republic of Chechnya, eight insurgents were shot dead in a "special operation by the security forces," the Interfax news agency quoted officials as saying.

In the autonomous Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, three policemen at a roadblock were shot and injured by gunmen travelling by car.

The violence in the region has increased dramatically in the past months, with high-ranking government officials as well as human rights activists the victims of violence between Islamic rebels, criminal gangs and Russian security forces. (dpa)