Medvedev calls for tougher approach against terrorism

In his outfit – a black T-shirt under a black suit coat – and rough language, President Medvedev was following the lead of Russia's powerful Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin.

Twin suicide bombings this week in Moscow – which Islamic militants from the North Caucasus claim to have carried out – have refocused attention on the violence that for years has been confined to the predominantly Muslim republics in Russia's south.

An explosion yesterday morning killed two suspected militants and wounded a third in Dagestan near the border with Chechnya. Police said the men may have been transporting a makeshift bomb.

On Wednesday, two suicide bombings in Dagestan killed 12 people, including nine policemen, a frequent target of attacks because they represent Russian authority.

The suicide bombings on the Moscow subway killed 39 people on Monday and have left nearly 90 in hospital.

Federal Security Service director Alexander Bortnikov said the organisers of the Moscow attacks have been identified as "bandits" from the Northern Caucasus, and some have been detained.

"We have detained a number of people, conducted interrogations, got evidence," he said.