An Estonian counter intelligence official has been abducted by gunpoint and taken to Russia, public broadcasting reports.

Estonian intelligence said the incident occurred at the Luhamaa border checkpoint at around 9am this morning. The unnamed official was understood to have been investigating a case of cross border crime.

It's been claimed smoke grenades and jamming of communication equipment was used in the altercation.

Estonia's Foreign Ministry say they have summoned Russian ambassador to Estonia Juri Merzljakov over the incident. Estonia's interior ministry also said they were following the issue closely, delfi.ee reports.

Estonia's interior minister, Hanno Pevkur speaking to Delfi.ee said: “We are working to get the officer back to Estonia. This kind of behavior is unacceptable,” said the minister.

Officials from the ISS (KaPo in Estonian) and the Office of the Prosecutor General held a press conference at 17:00.

Meanwhile, Arnold Sinisalu, director general of the ISS (KaPo), said that Estonian and Russian border guards had met to discuss the kidnapping, public broadcasting reports.

Both sides visited the scene and established that there were indeed signs of a violent struggle with tracks leading to the Russian side, Sinisalu said.

It's unknown whether the intelligence official was alone at the time of the incident, the head of Estonia's intelligence services said. The motive for the abduction is unknown at present.

A criminal case has been launched on counts of abduction and illegal border crossing.

More to follow

A map shows where the Estonian intelligence officer was abducted