Russian 'terror' alert sparks nationwide security op
Pastor Dale Morgan
Thursday January 18, 3:30 AM
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Russian 'terror' alert sparks nationwide security op*
Russia launched a nationwide security operation following an unconfirmed
foreign intelligence tip-off about a plan to attack public transport.
Bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed in underground metro systems, extra
roadblocks were mounted in war-torn Chechnya, and passengers in airports
and train stations were subjected to increased checks, Russian news
agencies reported from across the country.
Mobile phone connections were disabled inside the Moscow metro and an
extra 5,000 interior ministry troops were sent to support police in
major cities, security service officials said.
The terrorism scare began late Tuesday when the director of the federal
security service (FSB), Nikolai Patrushev, said that foreign
intelligence had warned of a threat to the transport system. No further
clue was given as to the origin of the information.
However, late Wednesday the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the
alert remained unconfirmed. "Data confirming the information from
foreign partners has not been received at present," committee spokesman
Nikolai Sintsov told Russian news agencies.
Sintsov said security measures had "minimised" the threat.
Russia, which for 12 years has fought a bloody campaign to suppress
separatists in Chechnya, has seen a series of major assaults on
civilians, including the downing of two passenger planes, bomb attacks
in Moscow, and mass hostage takings.
However, the new security alert was unusual because there has been no
significant attack in more than a year. The Chechen conflict has
simmered down, while state-dominated media regularly portray the
security situation as having been brought under control.
AFP correspondents in Moscow and Saint Petersburg saw modest increases
to numbers of police patrols on the metro systems, although there was no
sign of extra security in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok or in the
North Caucasus city of Vladikavkaz.
All day, national television gave blanket coverage to the alert, listing
telephone numbers for the interior ministry and FSB, which is the main
successor to the Soviet KGB, and airing comments by pro-Kremlin politicians.
"Unfortunately, terrorism... remains a serious danger," lower house
speaker Boris Gryzlov said. "It is very important that those who think
up inhuman acts do not succeed in their underlying goal: to sow a mood
of panic."
Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov announced he had ordered "additional
measures for protection of especially important facilities, both
military and civilian, and government structures," Interfax news agency
reported.
The interior ministry said "particular attention is being paid to
ensuring security in the eight Russian cities that have metros," RIA
Novosti news agency reported.
The three main mobile phone operators, MTS, Vimpelkom and Megafon,
announced they had disabled connections inside Moscow's metro system.
Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed police source as saying this was
ordered by the FSB.
Among other security measures announced were increased controls at power
stations run by the UES energy monopoly, although safety at nuclear
power stations was considered to be already sufficient, ITAR-TASS reported.
Sheremetyevo, Domededovo and Vnukovo airports outside Moscow, which
serve both foreign and domestic routes, were also on alert, ITAR-TASS
reported.
"Yesterday evening extra air safety measures were introduced. In
particular there is a 100 percent check of passengers and baggage, as
well as an increase in the number of security staff for the terminal and
other parts of the airport," a Sheremetyevo spokesman was quoted as saying.
Moscow schools cancelled trips organised for Wednesday, RIA Novosti
quoted the city education department as saying.
Patrols and roadblocks were stepped up in Chechnya and neighbouring
Ingushetia -- both of which continue to see clashes between troops and
local rebels -- news agencies quoted law enforcement officials as saying.