Law enforcement officers patrol an area outside the airport in Makhachkala on Oct 30, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

MOSCOW - Russia foiled a terror plot in a special operation in its Dagestan Republic, arresting three suspects, said the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the NAC said that special forces blocked the alleged terrorists in several apartments in residential areas of the cities of Makhachkala and Kaspiysk.

Automatic weapons, ammunition and a ready-to-use improvised explosive device were discovered where the suspects were detained, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said

The suspects were planning to "commit a number of terrorist crimes," it said in a statement.

Automatic weapons, ammunition and a ready-to-use improvised explosive device were discovered where the suspects were detained, the NAC added.

"There are no casualties among the civilian population or losses among the personnel of the law enforcement forces," it said. "The necessary operational search activities and investigative actions continue.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the terrorist attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall has risen to 144, and the injuries amount to 551, local authorities said Saturday.

As of 6 am (0300 GMT) Saturday, the dead included five children while 10 other children were injured, said the Department of Emergency Situations of the Moscow Region on its website.

On March 22, gunmen attacked the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the northwest of Moscow, and set fire in the building.