"The operative and investigative measures are underway. The number of bodies may increase since we continue to clear the debris, but we hope that the increase will be insufficient," Mr. Fridinsky told journalists.
Head of the operative headquarters, Head of the FSB department in North Ossetia Valery Andreyev told journalists in his turn that part of the weapons and explosives was brought to school in advance and was hidden there.
"We are thoroughly investigating this version as well as several other versions. We have already identified the terrorists," Andreyev said.
(A source in the law enforcement structures told RIA Novosti that according to some data the weapons were hidden under the floor in the gym during the reconstruction work in school this summer.)
According to Andreyev, in the course of the inspection of the tragedy scene a considerable number of explosives and mines, destined to kill the hostages, was found and disarmed by the law enforcement officers.
"The number of explosives and the continuity of the battle between the terrorists and special purpose troops proves that there can be only one version - the terrorists prepared for the attack in advance," the head of the operative headquarters disclosed.
The operation to free the hostages and eliminate the terrorists is over, he added.
