MOSCOW, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Two Russian Interior Ministry soldiers were killed in a gun battle when their convoy came under fire in the Caucasus region of Ingushetia on Saturday, Russian news agencies reported.

A spokesman for the Ingushetia Interior Ministry confirmed a convoy came under fire near the village of Muzhichi, about 25 km (15 miles) east of the regional capital Nazran, but was unable to confirm casualties.

Up to five soldiers were wounded, Interfax news agency said, quoting Russian armed forces command in the North Caucasus. RIA Novosti put the number of wounded at 10 or more, citing a law enforcement source.

Ingushetia, a poor, mainly Muslim republic, has suffered from an overspill of violence from neighbouring Chechnya in two separatist wars there.

Moscow is struggling to contain an insurgency by Islamist militants in the region who regularly kill officials in ambushes and bomb attacks.

Late last month a suicide car bomber blew himself up in an apparent attempt to kill the region's Interior Minister. (Reporting by Ekaterina Sukhareva; writing by Melissa Akin; editing by Richard Balmforth)

AlertNet news is provided by