The United States on Thursday condemned the violent upheaval in southern Russia, urging the Russian authorities to bring terrorists to justice.

"Obviously we're aware of the reports of fighting between Russian authorities and militants in the town of Nalchik near Chechnya," deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said at a news briefing.

"We condemn attacks against innocent civilians. We express our sympathies with those wounded and the families of those killed," Ereli said, adding that there can be no justification for terrorist actions that target innocent civilians and civilian populations.

On early Thursday, about 150 militants reportedly launched attacks at several government and public facilities in Nalchik, capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria in Russia's North Caucasus.

Russian authorities said that the local Jamaat group of Wahhabi and outsiders, including those from Chechnya, were involved in the attacks.

Some 50 militants were killed as police rebuffed the attack on government bodies in Nalchik and in shootouts in the streets, government officials said, noting situation in the city has been under control.

Source: Xinhua