FSB officers kill man suspected of preparing terror attack in Karachay-Cherkessia

The Federal Security Service (FSB) in the republic of Karachay-Cherkessia in the North Caucasus reported on Friday that it had killed a man suspected of preparing a terrorist attack against security forces.

According to the report, the man was found in the village of Adil-Khalk, in the north of the republic, and opened fire on officers before himself being shot and killed.

Security forces found a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a homemade explosive device and communications equipment allegedly containing correspondence with collaborators abroad at the scene of the shootout, state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reported, adding that a criminal case had been launched.

Independent news publication ASTRA and Telegram channel Baza have identified the suspect as 25-year-old Ilya Baklanov, a Russian military serviceman. Russian security agencies believe he was preparing a terrorist attack under instructions from Islamic State (IS), which is recognised as a terrorist organisation in Russia.

IS claimed responsibility for the March terror attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow, which killed at least 145 people and injured over 500 more. The suspects, chiefly citizens of Tajikistan, have been remanded in custody and are awaiting trial.