Suicide bomber attacks Russian police

A suicide bomber has killed at least 5 policemen and injured 24 people, including 18 policemen, in an attack on a traffic police station in the southern Russian Republic of Dagestan on Wednesday.

Witnesses say a suicide bomber broke through the gate and tried to ram the station building, but exploded prematurely when he was impeded by an oncoming police car.

The bombing occurred in the morning when the policemen were starting their shift.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for the local police in Dagestan to step up security in the region.

A criminal case has been launched following the incident.