20 terrorist plots foiled in Russia this yr: Putin

(MENAFN- Arab Times) Intelligence agents have foiled 20 terrorist plots in Russia this year, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, and asked officials to increase their efforts to prevent terrorist attacks. Russia began carrying out air strikes on Islamic State militants in Syria last month to support government forces there.

The Kremlin has cited curbing terrorism internationally and making sure Russian nationals in the IS ranks don't come back home as the main reasons behind the Russian air strikes. Speaking Tuesday at a ceremony at the Kremlin, Putin said in televised comments that the FSB intelligence agency this year had foiled 20 terrorist plots, arrested 560 militants and killed 112 others.