There is no justification for Monday's ter- rorist attacks in Moscow, whatever the motives may be. The pair of explosions that were set off by suicide bombers at two landmark subway stations in the Russian capital killed at least 39 people and injured dozens more.

The rush-hour blasts were aimed at killing as many people as possible, according to Russian officials. The magnitude of the cruelty is simply numbing.

The heinous extreme acts were nothing but an open defiance to civilized society. Whoever is behind the attacks must be a cold-blooded killer with total disregard for human life. They should be viewed as public enemy No 1.