9 civilians killed in Russia's North Caucasus

Authorities have found the bodies of nine civilians in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.

Authorities have found the bodies of nine civilians in the Russian North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.

HT Image

The members of a hunting party were found in the woods Sunday and may have been killed by Islamic rebels, said police in the city of Nalchik, according to the Interfax news agency.

It was possible the hunters accidentally ran into the rebel areas and were killed, they said.

The slain had left their homes on Saturday.

The region has long been a base for Islamic extremists. In 2005, Nalchik was the target of an armed attack on government buildings that left dozens dead.

Kabardino-Balkaria is among the poorest regions of Russia and has been relatively stable compared to neighbouring Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia and Dagestan.