Moscow, Jan 5 : Police in Russia's north Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria have prevented a major terrorist attack after discovering a powerful bomb planted near a busy road, an official said Tuesday.

A 40-litre barrel stuffed with explosives was found some two metres away from the Baksan-Azau highway. It was taken to a safe place and detonated.

"The blast was equal to 50 kg of TNT, and might have resulted in many deaths," a police source said.

Russia's mainly Muslim north Caucasus republics, especially Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, have seen an upsurge of militant violence this year, with frequent attacks on government officials. (RIA Novosti)