Police in Russia"s North Caucasus Republic...

A 40-liter barrel stuffed with explosives was found some two meters (six feet) 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," the 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 police and officials.

MOSCOW, January 5 (RIA Novosti)