Russian Prez Enlists Five Components for Fight against Terrorism

For fight against terrorism in north Caucasus region, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has enlisted five chief components including legal and security agencies, said media reports.

“These measures include the strengthening of law enforcement agencies, the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service and the courts,” Medvedev was quoted as saying at a meeting with security officials in Makhachkala.

Earlier, he North Caucasus republic of Dagestan in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Moscow and the Dagestani town of Kizlyar.

“We must deliver pinpointed, lightning strikes against terrorists, kill them and destroy their hideouts; we must help those who decided to leave the terrorists’ ranks; we must develop the economy, education, culture; we must strengthen the moral and spiritual aspects,” the president was quoted as saying.

“Only if we put all these components together we will succeed,” he was quoted as saying.

Besides, he called for stricter actions against global terrorism, reports said.

“The range of anti-terrorism measures must be expanded; they should be not only more effective, but also more harsh, merciless and preventive. We must punish them (the terrorists),” Medvedev was quoted as saying.

Yesterday, twin blasts took place in Kizlyar, near Dagestan’s border with Chechnya, killing 12 people and injuring 29 others.

Earlier on Monday, two explosions occurred in Moscow metro station in which 39 people were killed and dozens more injured.

Medvedev earlier said the attacks in Moscow and Dagestan were linked and were aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country.

Chechen militant leader Doku Umarov claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the metro attacks, saying in a video message that the attacks were retaliation for operations carried out by federal security forces. He also pledged further attacks.

(Based on internet reports)