Russia hobbled by 131 terrorist attacks in first half of 2003

Russia has been the scene of 131 crimes with the use of explosive devices in the first half of 2003, said Internal Affairs Minister Boris Gryzlov. He said that 74 possible terrorist attacks where committed in Chechnya and 57 on the remaining territory of Russia.

During the course of the preventive operation Dynamite Balance almost 5 thousand military and industrial objects working with explosives were examined. More than 50 tonnes of explosives were seized and 107 triggering devices. 22 criminal cases have been opened.

The Internal Affairs Ministry and the Federal Security Service have teamed up to step up protection of the railroads through operation Courier. More than 13 thousand passengers have been verified and more than 2 thousand post and baggage cars and 384 warehouses, which are used for temporary storage. A significant amount of fire arms, ammunition and explosive devices have been seized. Moreover, 3 portable rocket launchers were seized in the Southern federal district of Russia.