President Medvedev said a series of tough measures should follow the acts of terror.

“Policemen died defending ordinary citizens from scum who use the dirtiest and most disgusting methods to kill people. The range of measures to fight terrorism should be widened. They must not only be effective but also tough and cruel to prevent future terror attacks. Terrorists must be punished,” stressed Medvedev, outlining several major tasks.

“We have five main tasks. Firstly, to strengthen law enforcement and security bodies, the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service and other agencies, and to help the courts. Secondly, we must continue to deliver precision strikes against terrorists and their hideouts. Thirdly, we should help those who decided to break away from the bandits. Fourthly, we should develop the economic and social sphere, educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. And finally, we should strengthen the moral and spiritual component, help religious leaders. Given those five components, we will succeed.”

The meeting follows twin blasts in the Moscow Metro on March 29 and in Dagestan on March 31. The terrorist acts in the Russian capital claimed 39 people and injured dozens, while in Dagestan twelve people were killed and more than 20 injured.

Chechen warlord Doku Umarov has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Although the investigation is underway and information is still being confirmed, Vyacheslav Nikonov, head of the Unity for Russia Foundation, says the warlord is a real threat.

“I think Doku Umarov is a more legendary figure than Osama Bin Laden. He is everywhere and he is nowhere. For me there is no doubt he is part of the international terrorist chain. And, of course, suicide bombing is not a Chechen national tradition. That is the tradition brought in by the Wahhabis, by the most extreme groups which usually operate outside Russia,” Nikonov told RT.

President Medvedev traveled to Dagestan because he most likely wanted to demonstrate solidarity with the Dagestani people who suffered a terrorist attack in the city of Kyzlyar yesterday, believes Aleksandr Pikaev, a political analyst from the Institute of World Economy and International Relations.

“The president used his visit to press local officials and law enforcement agency to combat terrorism more efficiently and to concentrate on preventive measures which would be aimed at prevention of new terrorist attacks at all parts of Russia including Moscow,”Pikaev said.