Medvedev Pledges 'Harsher, Crueler' Terror Crackdown

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday told security forces to use "harsher, crueler" tactics to fight the "scum" responsible for terrorist attacks. The comments, made during a surprise visit to Dagestan, where suicide bombers killed 12 Wednesday, evoked his ally Vladimir Putin's tough talk on terror, notes the Wall Street Journal. The attack has been linked to separatists in the North Caucasus.

Russian forces have killed two high-profile militants recently, but key figures, like Chechen militant Doku Umarov, remain at large, reports the AP. "We have torn off the heads of the most odious bandits, but clearly this was not enough," Medvedev said. "In any case, we will find them all and punish them."

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