A gunman plotting a terrorist attack was killed in a special operation in western Russia’s Samara region, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) said.
"This night during a search operation, the Russian Federal Security Service was informed that an armed person planning to carry out a terrorist attack was staying in one of private houses," the anti-terror agency said.
The gunman, who had sheltered himself in a house, was asked to lay down arms and surrender to the authorities. "In response, he opened fire at the law enforcement personnel and used a combat grenade. During a quick armed clash, the gunman was neutralized," TASS cited the statement as saying.
According to the NAC operations headquarters, the gunman was linked to an international terrorist group. "He maintained contact with gunmen who are abroad and had been planning to blow up an improvised explosive device in a place of mass gathering," the statement reads.
The gunman’s body has been preliminarily identified. Weapons, munitions and an improvised explosive device ready for use were uncovered at the scene.
The security agencies are carrying out an investigation to find the gunman’s suspected accomplices.
