Russian police have arrested eight men suspected of carrying out a bomb attack in the town of Kaspiysk, in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan, which killed 43 people and injured more than 150 last month.

The blast occurred in the town's main street as soldiers and civilians held a Victory Day parade to mark the 57th anniversary of Russian victory in World War II.

Deputy state prosecutor Vladimir Kolesnikov said along with the eight suspects six Russian soldiers were also arrested for allegedly selling an anti-personnel mine to the men who carried out the attack.

The six soldiers are from units deployed at Buinaksk in Dagestan, Mr Kolesnikov was quoted as saying by Russia's RTR television.

According to the television report 18 people are suspected of being part of the group which carried out the attack.

A Dagestani Muslim and member of the Wahhabite movement, Kazim Abdurakhmanov, is accused of leading the attack.

Children killed

Prosecutors said the attack was ordered by Dagestani religious leader Rapani Khalilov, who is believed to be hiding in neighbouring Chechnya.

Mr Khalilov, also a member of the Wahhabite group, is also alleged to have taken part in an attack on Dagestan by Chechen rebels which sparked Russia's intervention in the southern state.

Security officials say the mine, which was hidden in shrubbery on the side of the street, blew up as the military band passed in the parade.

The victims included children, military veterans and musicians, as well as at least 19 soldiers.

Russian police said nuts, bolts and nails were packed into the mine to cause maximum injury.

The BBC's Nikolai Gorshkov in Moscow said the incident, occurring on one of Russia's most solemn and sacred occasions, caused immense shock throughout the country.

No one has officially claimed responsibility for the attack.