Russian authorities say a top security official in the troubled North Caucasus region of Ingushetia has been shot and killed.
Officials say they suspect Akhmed Kotiev, who headed Ingushetia's Security Council, was killed because of his work encouraging rebel fighters to lay down their arms and return to a normal life.
Kotiev was shot to death in his car while being driven to work. His driver was also killed in the attack.
Islamist insurgents in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus, which includes the regions of Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan, continue to target local police and officials.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
