The authorities of Russia's Chechen Republic condemned the Sunday blast in its capital of Grozny that killed Moscow-backed Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov and some other people, pledging to intensify the fight against terrorism and revive the war-torn republic.
The tragedy in Grozny and the death of Kadyrov "will unite the people of Chechnya in the anti-terrorist fight and the revival of the republic," said an official statement of the Chechen government and presidential administration, Itar-Tass news agency reported.
Branding the so-called separatists in Chechnya "are nothing but terrorists and criminals," the statement declared that their wishes will not come true or intimidate the people of Chechnya and the Chechen authorities.
"The scum, who are behind this terrorist, will not go unpunished," the statement announced, adding that the name of Akhmad Kadyrov will become a symbol of the fight against terrorism and the revival of the Chechen republic.
Sunday's blast occurred at about 10:40 am Moscow time (0640 GMT) as a mine planted under a VIP-seating area in the Dynamo stadium in Grozny blew up during a ceremony commemorating Russia's59th anniversary of victory over the Nazi Germany in World War II.
There have been conflicting reports about the casualties and injuries in the explosion. The latest information provided by Russian media indicated that at least six people were killed with 53 others injured.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, but most suspicion fell on Chechen rebels.
The Chechen minister for nationalities affairs, information and foreign relations expressed the belief that Chechen warlords Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev had played a role in the explosion.
Five people were detained for suspected involvement in the terrorist blast and are undergoing interrogation, Interfax cited Chechen Interior Ministry spokesman Ruslan Atsayev as saying.
Meeting with Kadyrov's son Ramzan in Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Kadyrov as "a real, heroic man" who "left this world undefeated."
Chechen State Council Chairman Khusein Isayev was also killed in the blast.
Head of the Joint Army Command of the North Caucasus Valery Baranov, who got injuries in the explosion, is in serious condition now, the Chechen Health Ministry said.
Kadyrov and Isayev will be buried on Monday in their respective home villages in Chechnya and the funerals will proceed in strict compliance with Islamic rules, according to Chechen Mufti Akhmad-Khadzhi Shamayev.
Putin said Sunday that retribution was inevitable for those who set off the bomb.
A police operation is in progress in Grozny to search for those responsible for the blast and security measures have been intensified.
Instructing Chechen Prime Minister Sergei Abramov, who serves as the acting president till presidential elections are held under the Chechen Constitution, Putin stressed that it is necessary to ensure "the tragedy does not have any negative influence on the people's life and any damage to the economy should also be avoided."
Putin asked Abramov to continue cooperation with the security agencies to ensure normal life in Chechnya.
Abramov promised that "work in the republic has not stopped even for a moment due to the tragic events, and it will never stop," adding that "all plans will be put into practice."
An investigation commission and a headquarters dealing with the consequences of the blast have been set up in Grozny.
(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2004)
