In Russia, two militants were killed in an operation in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan today. The republic's interior ministry said the militants opened fire as local police officers stopped their car during a search operation in the city of Machachkala.A law-enforcement officer told Itar-Tass news agency that special task force police blocked a vehicle carrying two men in Korkmasov Street, who put up armed resistance and were killed in a shootout.A police officer and two civilians at the scene were injured in the crossfire. Violence is common in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus republics, especially Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, with militants frequently targeting police and officials.