Russia increases security level after public transport terror alert

RUSSIA stepped up security in major cities yesterday, deploying thousands of extra police and urging public vigilance, a day after officials warned of a possible terrorist threat on public transport.

In Moscow, which was last hit by terrorist attacks in 2004, officials took the unusual step of ordering mobile phone services shut off in the underground system in what appeared to be an effort to avert the possibility of explosives being detonated by cell phone.

Uniformed police, some with bomb-sniffing dogs, patrolled underground stations, train stations and other sites around Moscow, checking documents and standing guard at entrances. Public announcements asked passengers to be alert to suspicious items.