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British Penetrate Terror Cell

August 10, 2006 9:06 PM

Pd_airplane02_nr_2Operation Overt, the British called it, though they cracked it using covert means. 

They had an undercover operative deep inside the group of at least 30 terrorists who had developed a simple, effective and potentially devastating plan to close the world's busiest airport, Heathrow, by carrying on small but deadly bombs concealed in sports drink containers and detonated by the flash of a disposable camera, intelligence and law enforcement officials told ABC News.

Even with an undercover operative on the inside, the British may not have known the full scope of the plot until it grew close to fruition, and authorities learned that the terrorists intended to assemble their bombs onboard at least six and as many as nine or 10 passenger jets that would depart from that airport.  The goal was to deal out mass death and destruction and a crippling blow to Heathrow, a top al Qaeda target since September 11th. 

The airlines targeted included United, Continental and American, and the cities to which flights would have headed included New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and Miami  -- all spots popular with British tourists as well as with Americans returning from trips abroad, sources said.

The planes were not to be blown up as they arrived at the cities, but in mid flight.

When the arrests were made Thursday morning, the plotters had reached the point of identifying airlines and routes, but had not yet picked flight numbers.  An arrest in Pakistan two days ago prompted authorities to begin to their round-up of suspects.  It appears the arrest in Pakistan would have quickly tipped the suspected terrorists to the undercover probe, and perhaps caused them to disperse, so authorities moved quickly.

But five key members of the cell  -- described by authorities as the ringleaders -- remain at large. The hunt for them, inside the U.K. and by intelligence and law enforcement authorities around the world, continues.

The intent by al Qaeda-inspired terrorists to destroy Heathrow's business and cripple England's economy dates back several years. One other plot has been thwarted by British authorities in the past. The idea of using multiple planes exploding in midair to create fear dates back further to the inspiration of master bomber Ramzi Yousef, who in 1994 first tried to knock multiple jets from the sky.

This latest plot, however, appears homegrown. The profile of the bombers -- young, longtime residents or citizens, inspired by al Qaeda and perhaps loosely linked to the old hierarchical terror group -- is the one that authorities have come to fear.

August 10, 2006 in U.K. Airline Terror Plot | Permalink | User Comments (50)

User Comments

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How come you intentionally fail to mention what the NSA did to help save lives. Why?

Posted by: David Johnson | Aug 10, 2006 9:23:34 PM

Why no credit to the NSA wiretaps? Both the Brit & Pakistani press have said it?

Posted by: Bob Clark | Aug 10, 2006 9:38:19 PM

Ummmm.....don't ya think the NSA or some agency in the world intercepted communications that led to the uncovering of this plot? Of course. Why not mention that? The interception of communications works and the Democrats are stupid for opposing it.

Posted by: Mike | Aug 10, 2006 9:52:09 PM

I'll give it 2 weeks before some left wing Senator/Congressman or "Political Activist" starts saying "They were no where near pulling it off." Don't forget, the 9/11 hijackers couldn't fly a plane. But they did.

Posted by: Tony Meadows | Aug 10, 2006 10:00:10 PM

It looks like Pakistan has declared a proxy war on the whole world.
Only the world does not know about it

I think it is high time to invade this country by assembling a co-alition of forces in India's Western desert. The Indians will gladly contribute 2 million men for the effort.
Hamid Karzai's government would only be two happy to help allowing US forces to invade from Afghanistan.
That will put an end to the training camps in that nasty country.

Posted by: Vishnu Sharma | Aug 10, 2006 10:08:16 PM

i think that they very disappontted of wat thay did cause we did not harm them. They should not disapline everybody for one persons mistake


Sin,Justha

Posted by: Justha Spry | Aug 10, 2006 10:32:44 PM

These arrests prove a valid point: these terrorists are stopped through detective and intelligience work- not by invading countries like Iraq.

Posted by: morgan | Aug 10, 2006 10:34:02 PM

U.S. government has got to stop playing around, if we have enough evidence to convict these people then we should give them all the death penalty.

Posted by: benjamin | Aug 10, 2006 10:38:32 PM

Let's get 'em!

Posted by: Ike | Aug 10, 2006 10:45:28 PM

Remember: A) the Pakistani Government arrested some of these scum too, so lets not go crazy about bombing another country, we're spread out enough as it is, we're headed into World War III no joke. B) not all left wing are conspiracy theorist morons,and not all conspiracy theorists are left wing, get a grip on your stereotypes. nor do all left wingers support total inaction. And before we bash left wing completely remember the terorists are extremist Right Wing, just not of the same religion.

Iraq and Afghanistan are unfinished bussiness and stopping the terrorists through real intelligence and cunning is a better solution. The english seem to be doing this quite well, (without civilian phone tapping I may add) American occupations only seem to create more terrorists. We need to refocus our efforts so we can finish the job quickly and strongly, then leave, because that's what they want.

Posted by: Justin | Aug 10, 2006 10:48:56 PM

Hey Justin. Why don't you show us all your proof that the English haven't used civilian phone tapping. The fact that you are oblivious doesn't mean necessary steps aren't taken against these savages.

Posted by: Steve | Aug 10, 2006 11:11:21 PM

Hey Steve, even if the English used civilian phone tapping, we haven't been forced to listen to endless Bush-like whining that court-ordered warrants are tying their hands and that the rule of law interferes with unlimited executive power.

Posted by: Panskeptic | Aug 10, 2006 11:38:42 PM

Terror Plot on Airlines... If we cant bring Liquids,Shampoo,Toothpaste,sunscreen & the rest of the item on the carry on bag.. What about the lagguages can we put it in there?

Posted by: Hey! | Aug 10, 2006 11:47:53 PM

I look Isreal and it's the history . With each side striking and counter striking. And then using the rememberence of the last conflict to justify the current conflict. And cannot help but think that the western countries, primaraly we Americans have started down the same road.

Posted by: Kelly Polst | Aug 10, 2006 11:52:06 PM

I am just glad that all of these plots were thwarted. Can any of us imagine the tremendous loss of life that would have ensued? I doubt it. As far as Pakistan is concerned, Prevez Musharaff is an ally of the U.S. (although his forgiveness of A.Q Kahn was shady-but forced by the citizens of Pakistan) and there are regions he does not entirely control. I think EVERYONE did a great job--the NSA and the British intelligence.

Posted by: Jonathan Witerski | Aug 11, 2006 12:22:18 AM

All you need is love.
Thanks to every British citizen.
We are great friends, allies
and partners in freedom, civility
and world peace

Posted by: Angela | Aug 11, 2006 12:40:33 AM

The British DO use telephone taps, but they cannot use the information in court.

Posted by: Mark Wilkins | Aug 11, 2006 3:03:22 AM

What good would "going against" or invading Pakistan be? The majority of people involved in this latest plot were born and bred in England, had British passports, and probably even spoke better English than Urdu. Invading Pakistan would only stoke the hatred of these people even more. One would have to invade/put sanctions on not only Pakistan, but also all areas in the UK and elsewhere with a Pakistani diaspora, which is of course untenable.

Posted by: Dave | Aug 11, 2006 3:54:37 AM


I'm wondering US Homeland Security, and CIA they act like they did catch or they are part of this BIG Terror Cell Operation
the real HERO IS British and Pakistan Intelegence Agent, Please ! our so called homeland security and CIA Just SHUT UP ! and Learn.

Posted by: zerahew | Aug 11, 2006 4:47:19 AM

English? English? English using civilian phone tapping? The United Kingdom consists of English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish people! Try "British" not "English"!

Posted by: Lily | Aug 11, 2006 6:14:34 AM

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