Russia has imposed a counter-terrorism regime in two areas of the North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria after an attack on tourists that killed three and injured two people and bomb attempts in the republic, the republican operational headquarters said on Sunday.

"The headquarters ... has decided to impose a counter-terrorism regime from 10:00 a.m. Moscow time on Sunday in the Elbrus area and part of the Baksan district to prevent subversive and terrorist acts that may cause the death of people ... and to look for members of illegal armed formations complicit in carrying out terrorist attacks in the republic," the headquarters said.

On Friday, unknown assailants opened fire on a van carrying tourists from Moscow who headed for the Elbrus mountain area, the famous ski resort in Kabardino-Balkaria. Three people, including a woman, were killed and two others were injured.

Also late on Friday, a cableway on Mount Elbrus was hit by an explosion, but no one was injured, local police said. The blast occurred between the Stary Krugozor and Mir stations. Some 30 out of 45 cable cars were damaged.

On Saturday, police defused three bombs found in a car at the foot of Mount Cheget, another ski resort in the republic.

NALCHIK, February 20 (RIA Novosti)