Russian forces say 20 killed in N. Caucasus battle

MOSCOW Feb 12 (Reuters) - Russian security forces said on Friday at least 20 insurgents had been killed in a gun battle in the North Caucasus region of Ingushetia, Russian news agencies reported.

"The operation continues and the search for the remaining bandits and the identification of those destroyed is under way," RIA news agency quoted a Federal Security Service official as saying.

Local police told Reuters onThursday at least 10 insurgents had been killed in clashes in the region. It was not immediately clear if the latest figures took account of the earlier deaths. (Reporting by Conor Sweeney; Editing by Andrew Dobbie)