Moscow, Nov 7 (UNI) Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) today said militants were planning terror attacks on the hydropower plants in thecountry's southern region.

''The anti-terrorist committee has information about terrorist masterminds planning to launch attacks on hydropower facilities in the Ryazan and Saratov regions, and in Daghestan,'' head of the FSB (earlier KGB) General Nikolai Patrushev said at the 5th meeting of the anti-terrorist committee.

The meeting focused on issues of security on Country's inland waterways and navigable water reservoirs. Mr Patrushev also heads the anti-terrorist committee.

''The threat is real,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted him as saying at the meeting.

He said the region was one of the largest strategically important industrial and agricultural centres in the country, with about 670 facilities vulnerable to terror attacks.

He, however, pointed out at the recent inspections that revealed inadequate security at a majority of hydropower and water storage facilities, making them 'easy targets' for terror attacks that could lead to catastrophic consequences and paralyse the entire region.

Mr Patrushev ordered local anti-terrorist committees to take urgent measures to protect the facilities.

UNI XC KD GC1832