Putin calls for calm as two Moscow bombing suspects questioned

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MOSCOW (CNN) -- Police in Moscow have detained two suspects in connection with a bomb blast in the Russian capital which killed seven people and injured more than 90.

The Russian federal security service, the FSB, announced on Wednesday that two young men, one from Chechnya and the other from neighbouring Dagestan, were being held.

Officials suspect the blast was carried out by Chechen rebels, who were blamed for a series of apartment blasts last year which killed 300 people and lead to the current war in Chechnya. There was no immediate response from the Chechen rebel command.

GALLERY Scenes from the Pushkin Square bombing    VIDEO CNN's Steve Harrigan takes a look at fears of Muscovites Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     MESSAGE BOARD Changes in Russia/Explosion     ALSO Press blames blast on Chechen rebels History of bomb attacks in Russia TIME.com: Moscow blast: 'This is the security Putin's war has brought us

The bomb ripped through a busy underground walkway at Pushkin Square, close to the Kremlin, fuelling fears of a new terrorist bombing campaign.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing two young men leaving a small plastic bag behind them after attempting to change money at a kiosk near the scene of the blast.

They were then seen rushing away and driving off in a Russian-made car moments before the explosion.

The FSB said the detained suspects fitted the description of two men spotted just before the bomb exploded. A third suspect was still being sought.

On RTR state television, Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo showed photo-kit pictures of two suspects based on descriptions given by witnesses. Emergency officials said on Wednesday that two U.S. citizens were among those injured, but had no other details. Some of the 93 people injured are said to be in a serious condition.

President Vladimir Putin has personally taken charge of the investigation and has ordered police and security agents around the country to be on full alert.

Russian police and riot troops swept public spaces across Moscow on Wednesday and checked the documents of all visitors to the Russian capital.

Interior Ministry troops blocked highways leading into Moscow overnight and riot police patrolled subway and train stations and city squares.

The FBS said the explosion was "most definitely" a terrorist act, and that the bomb contained 1.5 kilos of TNT.

"Police on the outskirts of the city are stopping trucks and there are a lot of door-to-door searches going on," he said.

Many of those wounded in the blast staggered out of the dark, narrow passage into Pushkin Square, their faces covered in blood, and their clothes in shreds.

The underground passage, lined with tiny shops selling goods ranging from cosmetics to flowers and clothes, was gutted and the floor strewn with shards of glass.

Pushkin Square is a traditional meeting place for Muscovites.

Authorities said on Wednesday that most of the bodies were so badly charred that identification was proving very difficult.

Bomb blasts in Moscow and the southern town of Volgodonsk last September, along with a raid by Chechen guerrillas on Russia's southern region of Dagestan, triggered a large-scale military operation against Chechnya. Putin, who took over as acting prime minister under President Boris Yeltsin exactly a year ago, has spearheaded the military drive in Chechnya. He was elected president in March.

After 11 months of warfare Russia now says it controls all Chechen territory, but rebel resistance continues.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Russian troops braced for fiery Chechnya anniversary
August 1, 2000
Russians seal off Chechen towns after bombings kill 33 troops
July 4, 2000
Blast rocks apartment building in southern Russia
September 16, 1999
Russian upper house meets to discuss explosions, security issues
September 17, 1999

CIA -- The World Factbook 1999 -- Russia

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