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Police officers and investigators gather at the site of a suicide bomb blast in the provincial capital Grozny, Chechnya, southern Russia, on Sept. 12, 2009. Another suicide bomber struck on Sept. 16. (AP) GROZNY, Russia (AP) — Russian officials say two police officers have been killed by a suicide bomber in the capital of the restive republic of Chechnya.

Emergencies Ministry spokesman Alexei Titarenko said the bomber, strapped with an explosives belt, blew up the explosives next to a police car in downtown Grozny on Wednesday morning. He says at least three other people were wounded.

The bombing comes amid a spike in violence throughout Russia's North Caucasus region.

Chechnya was devastated by two wars between separatists and Russian forces in the past 15 years. Although major fighting died down several years ago, small clashes persist.