Republic of Chechnya People killed and hostages

According to a report of the RIA news agency, at least two people were killed Tuesday when a suicide bomber and a number of gunmen attacked the local parliament in Russia's restive southern republic of Chechnya.

The news agency said a suicide bomber had detonated explosives just outside parliament and that two armed insurgents had then engaged in a gun battle with guards around the building.

The Russian Interfax news agency also reported that three or four gunmen had broken into the parliament building itself and opened fire. It said a number of hostages had been taken. The shooting started near the office of the parliament's speaker and was continuing, Interfax reported, citing a security source.

Another Russian news agency, the Itar-Tass, reported that other insurgents had stormed the Chechen agriculture minister in a separate attack.