Die to fight terror: Russian cops told

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MOSCOW, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Russia's police have been ordered to stop terrorists: even at the cost of their lives.

Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev has ordered the police to intensify anti-terrorist measures, even if it costs lives, the Interfax news agency reported Thursday.

Nurgaliyev made his remarks on the first anniversary of the massacre of 330 people including 186 children at a school in Beslan in the North Caucasus by Chechen separatist terrorists. The disaster led to a massive crackdown both in Chechnya and against suspected Islamists and terrorists throughout the Russian federation.

"Today, on Sept. 1, the day of an anniversary of the dreadful terrorist act in Beslan, I want to remind you that your knowledge and skills, strength and professional mastery must be used to prevent similar tragedies in future, even if it costs you your lives," Nurgaliyev told students of the Interior Ministry's Management Academy.