Chechen market blast kills 3

Heavy fighting took place in the region overnight, Russian and rebels sides said

MOSCOW, Russia -- A blast in a Chechen marketplace killed three people and wounded 11 others on Saturday.

It is not clear what caused the explosion, which occurred near a Russian police barracks in the town of Gudermes.

A spokesman at the military command post said it was too soon to speculate on the cause of the blast.

Hours earlier, another blast occurred in the neighbouring region of Ingushetia.

The Russian side has blamed Chechen separatists for the numerous blasts at outdoor markets both in and around the rebel republic of Chechnya.

Both the Russian and rebel sides confirm heavy fighting took place in the region overnight.

The military claimed up to 20 rebels were killed in the past 24 hours, according to The Associated Press.

A spokesman seen as close to Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev told Reuters that rebels had killed more than 50 Russian troops over the same period.