The alleged plot was meant to have hit Moscow at New Year, investigators said

Russian security agencies have arrested seven people suspected of preparing New Year terror attacks in Moscow on orders from Islamic State (IS) in Syria.

Domestic security and counter-terrorism agency, the FSB, said its agents arrested the suspects in the North Caucasus province of Dagestan.

The FSB said the suspects were preparing attacks with automatic weapons and explosives in crowded places.

Islamist insurgents in Dagestan have mounted frequent attacks on police and officials, and some have sworn allegiance to IS.

Russia has waged an air campaign in Syria since September 2015 in support of Syrian president Bashar Assad.

President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have said that thousands of citizens of Russia and other ex-Soviet nations have joined IS in Syria.