Authorities in Russia's restive Daghestan region say two suspected militants have been killed in a special operation in the republic's Leninkent residential area near the capital, Makhachkala.

Officials said the militants blockaded themselves in a house and refused to surrender.

They were then killed by security forces, who later found an explosive device in the house.

Experts were reported working at the scene to defuse the explosive device.

Mostly Muslim-populated Daghestan is one of the most volatile republics in Russia's North Caucasus, where Islamic insurgents professing the extreme Wahhabi form of Islam regularly attack police, military personnel, and moderate Muslims.