Terror attack prevented in Russia’s N. Caucasus republic

PanARMENIAN.Net - Security forces have prevented a string of terror attacks after defusing nine bombs at an illegal laboratory in Nalchik, the capital of Russia's North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said on Wednesday, March 14.

"The total mass of improvised explosive devices was over 100 kg of TNT equivalent. According to bomb experts, an explosion of that power would have destroyed a whole city block," the committee said in a statement.

The laboratory where the bombs were produced was located in a garage in Nalchik and was discovered by policemen early Wednesday.

The committee added that all the bombs were taken to a secure area and destroyed, RIA Novosti reported.

Sporadic terrorist attacks and militant clashes are common in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus republics, especially Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia. Russia has been fighting militants in the North Caucasus for over a decade, including two wars in Chechnya.