Russian president urges crackdown on terrorism ahead of 2014 Games

President Vladimir Putin has urged Russia's intelligence agencies, police and military to clamp down on terrorism to prevent violence at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi and other international events in Russia.

Insurgency has spread across Russia's North Caucasus following two disastrous separatist wars in the Muslim province of Chechnya and terrorist attacks now frequently hit neighbouring Dagestan. Rights groups say high unemployment and rights abuses by officials push young men into joining the militants and suicide bombers.

Putin on Tuesday called it "a matter of pride" for Russian security to stamp out terrorism at home in the coming years.

Besides the 2014 Olympics, Russia is hosting the 2018 World Cup along with a handful of other international gatherings.