国际英语新闻:Two explosions hit Russia's Dagestan, 7 injured

MOSCOW, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two explosions rocked Russia's southern republic of Dagestan on Friday night, injuring seven people, local authorities said.

The blasts targeted a restaurant in Makhachkala, capital of the republic, Dagestani Interior Ministry told local media.

Preliminary information showed that an "unidentified person" shot at the second floor of the Golden Empire restaurant with a grenade launcher, injuring five people on the site, said the ministry.

A Lada car exploded near the restaurant when law enforcement officers arrived, injuring two policemen, it added.

The explosive that went off near the restaurant contained no shrapnel, Interfax news agency cited law enforcement authorities as saying. Investigators are probing into the case.

The blasts took place just a few minutes after the stated-run TV news channel aired an interview of President Vladimir Putin over Russia's anti-terror efforts ahead of the Sochi Olympics.

Putin said Russia "will do everything" to guarantee security at the Winter Games due on Feb. 7.

"Our task as organizers is to provide security for the participants and guests of the Sochi Olympic Games, and we are going to do everything for it," he said.

If Russia shows its weakness and fear, it will "help terrorists to achieve their goals," Putin added.

He also urged the international community to make joint efforts in fighting against terrorist acts and the killing of innocent people.

On Wednesday, four militants and three security officers were killed in an anti-terror operation in Dagestan. Violence is common in southern Russia, especially in North Caucasus, with militants attacking government establishments and civilians regularly.

Russian authorities stepped up security measures following the twin terror attacks in the southern city of Volgograd in late December, which killed 34 people and injured scores of others.

Putin, in his New Year speech, said Russia would continue the fight against terrorists "certainly, fiercely and consistently until they are all destroyed."