In a response to heightened security concerns following the recent terror attack in Moscow, police in southern Russia have apprehended three individuals from Central Asia for allegedly plotting a bomb attack. The suspects were reportedly planning to target a crowded location in the Stavropol region, according to a spokesperson from the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The Russian news agency TASS reported that the arrested men's homes yielded significant evidence. Components of an improvised explosive device (IED), chemical substances, and submunitions were reportedly seized during the police operation. However, the authorities did not disclose which specific Central Asian country the suspects hailed from.

The recent attack on Moscow's Crocus City Hall, attributed to the Khorasan branch of the Islamic State operating in Afghanistan, has left Russia on high alert. With 144 people killed, it marked the deadliest terrorist incident in the country in two decades. In response, Central Asian governments have warned their citizens to expect a potential backlash.

Incidents of violence toward Tajik businesses and cafes have already been reported, and Russian police have intensified their inspection of documentation belonging to individuals from Central Asia. Human rights groups have expressed concern over reports of police rounding up migrants for deportation, citing overcrowded special detention centers and the expulsion of 400 migrants without proper paperwork.

While Russian security forces regularly claim to dismantle Islamist terrorist cells, the involvement of Central Asian migrant workers in these activities has raised concerns. Many individuals from Central Asia migrate to Russia in search of employment opportunities, but they often face harsh treatment and become susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups such as the Islamic State.

Despite the crackdown on migrant workers, Maximilian Hess, author of 'Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict between Russia and the West,' noted that Vladimir Putin has cautioned Russian officials against excessively targeting these individuals as they have become essential to the Kremlin's war effort. Russia has faced a labor shortage since its involvement in Ukraine, with many men mobilized into the military or fleeing the country.

As investigations continue into the alleged terror plot and authorities work to address the security concerns arising from the Moscow attack, the situation remains tense in southern Russia. The authorities are keen to prevent any further acts of violence and ensure the safety of the population, while also grappling with the challenges posed by the presence of Central Asian migrant workers in the country.