GROZNY, May 5 (Reuters) - At least five policemen have been killed and two injured in an explosion in Russia's turbulent southern region of Chechnya, the local interior ministry said on Monday.

A ministry spokesman said a bottle packed with explosives and nails went off late on Sunday nearby a group of police officers on patrol in the Chechen capital Grozny.

"Five policemen were killed by the blast," the spokesman said.

Russia has fought two wars against Chechen rebels since 1994. It has largely pacified the region with help from former fighters who switched to Moscow's side.

The Kremlin says only a handful of rebels remain but attacks on pro-Russian forces are frequent. (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Sami Aboudi)

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