Moscow, Russia - A Chechen militant chief has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings on Moscow's subway that left 39 dead.
Islamic extremist Doku Umarov said in an internet video that the attacks were revenge for the killing of civilians by Russian security forces.
His statement on a pro-rebel website appeared after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin vowed to “drag out of the sewer” the terrorists behind Monday's twin attack, which also wounded scores of commuters in the morning rush hour.
Funerals for most of the victims were being held in the Russian capital today. The bombings were the first there for six years.
Umarov, 45, head of militant groups in Chechnya and other regions in the North Caucasus, blamed ordinary Russians for ignoring the slaughter of civilians and warned of more attacks.
“I promise you the war will come to your streets and you will feel it in your lives, feel it on your own skin,” he said.
Security forces refused to comment on Umarov's claim but have already said they believed that militants from the Caucasus were to blame.
Umarov had earlier warned: “If Russians think the war is happening only on television, somewhere far away in the Caucasus where it can't reach them, then we are going to show them that this war will return to their homes.”
He has fought Russian forces during both separatist wars in Chechnya over the last 15 years. He took over the leadership of the rebel movement in 2006 after soldiers killed predecessor Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev.
Umarov's importance grew that year after Shamil Basayev, the most feared of the rebels, was also killed. Basayev was behind terrorist attacks on Russia during its wars in Chechnya, including the hostage-taking raid on a school in the town of Beslan in 2004.
Moscow has been on high alert since the subway attacks, with roadblocks and security precautions increased. In a separate outrage, at least 12 people were killed by two suicide bombings in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan.
A car bomb was detonated yesterday in the town of Kizlyar and another bomber blew himself up as a crowd gathered. So far no one has claimed responsibility for the Dagestan blasts.