Moscow:
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Monday vowed to "destroy" the terrorists, who were behind the blasts at two metro stations here, and is rushing to the capital after cutting short his visit to Siberia.
"As is known, today a crime with horrible consequences and heinous in nature, was committed against peaceful citizens in Moscow. Tens of people have died in metro. I am confident that the law enforcement agencies will do everything to trace and punish the criminals. The terrorists will be destroyed," Putin said in his televised statement during a meeting with his key cabinet colleagues through video conference.
He has also directed the Transport Ministry to tighten security at the public transport network, especially railways. Putin, who launched a crackdown on Chechen rebels in Chechnya and other restive Caucasus regions, had last year said it was impossible to rule out terror attacks against 'soft targets' as the country has a huge infrastructure. Putin, who is currently on a visit to Siberia, has cut short his trip and rushing to the capital.
Earlier at his Kremlin meeting with security chiefs, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declared that the "line to suppress terror and combat terrorism" will continue.
At least 40 people were killed in two suicide blasts targeting the metro network that carries 7 million people every day.
Meanwhile, a day of mourning has been declared tomorrow in Moscow to express solidarity with the victims of the worst terror strike since February 2004, when 40 people were killed and 100 injured after a suicide bomb attack on a metro station.