Russian forces have killed two militants in the North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia close to the border with Chechnya. It was reported that the militants were obeying Al Qaeda orders. One of the militants blew himself up during the fight, ITAR-TASS news agency reported, citing the local security service press center. A source in the Prosecutor Generalâs directorate in the North Caucasus was quoted by the RIA-Novosti news agency as saying the militants were linked to Al Qaeda. However, a directorate official quoted by Interfax could not confirm this information. âThe armed people resisting federal forces are unambiguously members of illegal armed groups. It is too early to speak of their involvement in Al Qaeda,â the official said. The source that mentioned the Al Qaeda links added that one of the militants had managed to escape and that law enforcement structures in the region were searching for him.