Slain militants allegedly planned attack

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MOSCOW, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Two militants suspected of attacking Muslim leaders in Tatarstan were planning another terrorist action when they were killed, Russian officials said.

The men were killed Wednesday, RIA Novosti reported. They were allegedly planning something for Eid al-Adha, which takes place on Friday and is known in Russia as Kurban Bairam.

"We have evidence suggesting that the members of the group had been preparing a large scale terrorist act on October 26 in public places during the celebration of the Muslim holiday Kurban Bairam," a Federal Security Service statement said.

Police said the men had three handguns and one was wearing an explosive belt. They also had parts for improvised explosive devices.

Tatarstan, while majority Muslim, has mostly avoided the violence that has hit many Russian republics. But the attack in July that injured Mufti Ildus Faizov and killed his deputy has raised tensions.