Russian court official shot dead by gunmen

Moscow: A top Russian court official has been shot dead by gunmen on Sunday in Russia's conflicted Ingushetia region near Chechnya, Russian media reported.

The deputy chairman of the top court was gunned down by unidentified attackers who fled the scene immediately.

A regional police official said an investigation was underway.

The area is one of Russia's poorest regions and has seen a sharp rise in violence, including attacks on police and the military forces.