A dozen gunmen have reportedly been shot dead during a special operation in the Chechen Republic as Russian security forces step up their counter-terror efforts. It brings the number of alleged militants killed across the North Caucasus this month to more than 40. Authorities say an armed gang attacked a village at dawn, setting fire to several houses, with five civilians reportedly killed. The Republic's President, Ramzan Kadyrov was born there, and he arrived at the scene with a team of commandos. As well as the 12 killed militants, two officers died in the fighting. Chechnya's neighbouring republics have also seen several similar clashes in the past few days.