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MOSCOW, Aug 23 (Reuters) - One Russian soldier was killed and at least three wounded when a column of troops came under attack overnight in the southern province of Ingushetia that borders Chechnya, Russian news agencies reported on Thursday.

Itar-Tass said the unidentified attackers, who used guns and grenades, escaped after targeting a truck and an armoured personnel carrier carrying Interior Ministry troops. The attack took place late on Wednesday.

Interfax later said another Interior Ministry serviceman was injured in a separate attack by gunmen at a police checkpoint in Ingushetia on Thursday.

Russia has managed to subdue large-scale resistance by separatist rebels in the predominantly Muslim Chechnya region after two major wars since 1994.

But in Ingushetia there has been a considerable rise in attacks on police and Russian troops that officials blame on criminal elements and Islamist militants linked to Chechen rebels.

Russia sent an additional 2,500 troops to Ingushetia earlier this month.

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