Moscow: A Russian policemen was shot dead early October 24 by Chechen rebels holding some 1,000 hostages in a Moscow theatre, the Chechen separatist Internet Website kavkaz.org said.

The rebel Website said that the policeman approached the theatre's central entrance at around 06:00 am Moscow time (07:30 IST), pretending to be drunk and demanding to be let in.

"After several warnings, the mujahideen (Islamic fighters) shot the policeman," kavkaz.org claimed.

A journalist from Moscow Echo radio, who is among the captives, reported at about the same time of the morning that the armed Chechen rebels had opened fire through a side-door.

"We can't understand why it's happening. There is panic among the hostages, they are begging not to start an assault under any circumstances," the Interfax news agency reported her as saying.

Two gunshots were heard by an AFP correspondent near the theatre, apparently from outside the building.