Police and other security forces have prevented...

Ingushetia"s president was severely wounded and rushed to Moscow for treatment after a suicide bomber attacked his motorcade in June. Also in June, the interior minister was shot dead in Dagestan.

In the most recent incident, Islamists claimed responsibility for the November 26 explosion that derailed a speed train en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg, killing 26 people and injuring more than 90.

Bortnikov pledged to continue the fight against terrorists echoing the prime minister"s statement earlier this month.

Vladimir Putin vowed a "ruthless fight" against militants in the North Caucasus, but said a new war is not expected in the region. Putin also acknowledged a need to tackle unemployment, organized crime, clan rivalry and corruption as causes of the ongoing violence in the region.

MOSCOW, December 8 (RIA Novosti)