Mr Putin said the well-coordinated and competent operation had made it possible to avoid casualties among the participants and the hostages while eliminating the man who had hijacked the bus near Mineralnye Vody.
The President asked the Prosecutor General and the FSB chief to prepare proposals on honoring all those who had taken part in the effort with state awards.
Later in the day, he met with the operation participants in person and expressed to them his appreciation for the job done.