NYPD Increase Subway Patrols After Moscow Metro Bombings

On Monday, two Muslim suicide bombers struck Moscow's Metro system killing at least 38 people and injuring many more. The NYPD and police departments across the globe have increased subway patrols.

The Moscow suicide bombings were perpetrated by two women during the morning rush hour on March 29, 2010. The first bomb exploded inside a train that had just pulled into the Lubyanka station. The second bombing was approximately 45-minutes later on a train at Park Kultury.

On both trains the detonations occurred as the train doors were open in the station; deaths and injuries occurred both in the train and on the platform.

Alexander Bortnikov, head of the FSB (successor to the KGB), said the bombers were probably "black widows", women radicalized by the security crackdown in the northern Caucasus.

Bortnikov added, "Body parts belonging to two female suicide bombers were found and according to initial data, these persons are linked to the North Caucasus."

Doku Umarov, a Chechen rebel leader vowed to launch a fresh campaign of terror on Russian soil. The Muslim Chechen group enlisting 'black widows' are the suspected terrorists that have yet to officially claim responsibility.

Paul Browne, a spokesman for New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, said "There is no information indicating plans for an attack against the New York subway system as it relates to Moscow." Browne added, "When you have a bombing in another city, until we know more, we step up coverage."

The NYC subway system remains an attractive terror target; authorities thus far have been successful in thwarting all attempts at attacking the system.

The most recent attempt was by Najibullah Zazi, an immigrant from Afghanistan who was living in Denver. The Muslim terrorist admitted in federal court that he planned a "martyrdom operation in Manhattan" and that he was recruited by al-Qaeda to carry out the attack.

NYPD personnel have been deployed to 11 foreign cities, which did not include Moscow, to gather intelligence and other data to maintain New York's safety. After the 2004 Madrid train bombings, perpetrated by al-Qaeda, the NYPD dispatched members to that city to learn more about the attacks. It is speculated that the NYPD may respond to Moscow.

It is noted that the American media has taken a soft approach at reporting such events, as highlighted by Associated Content writer Anthony Ventre, more on that here.

As al-Qaeda and other Islamic groups wage their jihad and continue to threaten the West, as indicated by the recent threat reportedly by Osama bin Laden, the USA has been criticized for a perceived pre-9/11 attitude regarding terrorism.

Recent policy decisions by the Obama administration such as rejecting Khalid Sheik Mohammed's (KSM) guilty plea to a military judge and opting to try him in a civilian trial near Ground Zero have fueled such criticisms.

As a result of mounting political pressure, President Obama agreed to consider moving the KSM terror trial.

In response to the increased subway patrols in light of the Moscow metro bombings, former New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir said, "Episodic security increases don't work, you need constant security."

While the city figures out its budgetary constraints and thinning police ranks, the NYPD will be tasked to meet the increasing demands.

Sources: embedded in content.