The authorities of Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan issued a "final warning" to the militants, urging them to stop further terrorist attacks, the first deputy head of the Dagestan government said.

"We are giving the militants a final warning: stop the extremist activity and give up or face elimination," Rizvan Kurbanov said.

He said the government's repeated attempts to start negotiations with the militants had been ignored.

Kurbanov said the warning was also directed at anyone who helps known militants.

"They [accomplices] must stop helping the 'forest brothers' [terrorist gangs often hide out in the forest]. They will be eliminated along with the militants, within the law, but without any mercy," he said.

Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus republics, especially Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, have seen an upsurge of militant violence lately. Experts see the poor social and economic situation in the region as the main reason for the numerous terrorist attacks in the country.

MAKHACHKALA, July 23 (RIA Novosti)