Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered the creation Wednesday of a separate permanent operational group for antiterrorism in the North Caucasus Federal District. The new task force, which came out of an emergency meeting held in the Dagestani capital of Makhachkala after terrorist attacks in Moscow and Dagestan killed more than 50 people, should start operation from April 19, the Kremlin press office said.
Federal Security Service head Alexander Bortnikov, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev and Security Council chief Alexander Bastrykin would be responsible for the establishment of the new group.
The president also ordered officials to draft proposals before April 30 on a new program to combat crime and terrorist acts in the North Caucasus. Prosecutor General Yury Chaika, Bastrykin and presidential administration head Sergei Naryshkin were also ordered to submit proposals aimed at toughening punishments for terrorists' accomplices before May 15. |