The rights group said it had documented dozens of summary and arbitrary detentions, acts of torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions committed by forces combating fighters in there.

There was no immediate comment from Russian authorities, which rarely comment on such allegations.

The New-York based organisation also urged Moscow to change what it said were its brutal counter-insurgency policies and punish those responsible for the violations.

HRW compared the situation to what it said were rampant human rights abuses during the two wars in neighbouring Chechnya.

Russian security forces in Ingushetia have been combating fighters who are seeeking Islamic rule in the Caucasus.

The fighters have staged frequent attacks on police and local authorities in the area.

HRW warned in the report that the "dirty war" tactics against the fighters was likely to further destabilise the situation in Ingushetia and beyond in the North Caucasus.

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