The spokesman said a combined unit of police and federal security service officers came under fire Monday afternoon while checking an abandoned farm in the Kurchaloi district, about 16 miles east of Chechnya's capital Grozny.
He said the militant group consisted of six men, one of whom, a local resident, was killed. A search for the rest of the group is under way, he said.
Although the active phase of the North Caucasus antiterrorism campaign officially ended in 2001, periodic bombings and clashes between gunmen and federal troops still disrupt Chechnya and nearby regions, including Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachayevo-Circassia.
The commander of Russia's Joint Forces in the North Caucasus, Colonel General Yevgeny Baryayev, earlier said about 700 gunmen continue to operate in Chechnya and neighboring regions.
But a total of 546 militants, mainly in Chechnya, have accepted Russia's surrender offer and more militants continue to surrender, despite the expiry of an amnesty January 15.
A partial amnesty for militants and servicemen not involved in major atrocities during Russia's antiterrorism campaign in the North Caucasus was announced by Russian authorities July 15, 2006, following the killing of the region's most sought after terrorist, Shamil Basayev.
The amnesty was initially set to last until August 1, but the deadline was eventually extended until January 15. The law came into effect in September 2006.
Proposed by President Vladimir Putin, the amnesty is part of the Kremlin's offer of fair treatment for militants who agree to lay down their arms.
However, it does not extend to those guilty of grave crimes, including hostage-taking and terrorist attacks, or foreigners and stateless persons.
