32 dead in Chechnya attack

As a suicide bomb attack in the Chechen capital Grozny, killed 32 people and injured 50 others today, Moscow alerted all police forces in Ru...

As a suicide bomb attack in the Chechen capital Grozny, killed 32 people and injured 50 others today, Moscow alerted all police forces in Russia, to meet the threats posed by Chechen terrorists, ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Two powerful bombs packed in a Kamaz truck and UAZ off-road vehicle devastated the pro-Moscow Chechen administrartion8217;s building in the centre of Grozny, in the biggest terrorist attack by Chechen rebels, since the hostage-taking at a theatre building in the Russian capital, in October.

Russian television stations reported that up to 200 people were inside the building, at the time of explosions, suggesting the casualty figure may rise, as many of the wounded were reported to be in a serious condition. About 100 workers are currently engaged in the rescue operations.

Head of the Chechen administration Akhmad Kadyrov who was on a working trip in Moscow, flew to Grozny immediately after news of the blasts.

His deputy Mikhail Babich was also not in the building when the incident happened.

President Vladimir Putin immediately ordered Russian Emergency Situation Minister Sergei Shoigu and Director of the Federal Security Service FSB Nikolai Patrushev 8216;8216;to take all necessary measures to help8217;8217; the victims of the attack, Putin8217;s press secretary Alexei Gromov told journalists.

Russian Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Chekalin said here that in the run up to New Year8217;s Day all police forces in the country will remain on high alert, in line with an order by the Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov.

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8216;8216;There will be about 2,50,000 officers on duty in the streets alone. Operation services will be deployed. For the first time, students and cadets of Interior Ministry8217;s educational institutions, will join patrols. About 500 of them will be in the centre of Moscow alone,8217;8217; he said.

Police have stepped up security in Moscow, in response to the suicide bombing in Grozny, Russian media reported. Vehicle inspections are being strengthened and passports are being checked at railway stations, airports and other public places.