(VOVworld) – Two explosions rocked Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan on Friday, injuring 7 people. The blasts targeted a restaurant in Makhachkala.

Russian police at the explosion site (Photo: AFP)

According to initial information, an “unidentified person” launched a grenade to the restaurant and installed a bomb in a nearby car when the police arrived. The explosions took place just a few minutes after the state-run TV news channel broadcast an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Russia’s anti-terror efforts prior to the Sochi Olympics. President Putin said Russia will do everything possible to assure security for the athletes and visitors to Winter Games scheduled for February 7^th. He also called on the world community to join the effort to fight terrorism. Russian authorities have tightened security following a number of suicide bomb attacks in the Southern city of Volgograd last month, which killed 34 people and injured more than 100 others.