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The Anatomy of the Foiled Plot in London
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ShareAugust 10, 2006 9:47 AM
The world learned of a terrorist plot Thursday that would have caused mass death and destruction aboard a number of passenger jets had British authorities not aggressively investigated and arrested many of the plotters.
More than 20 suspected terrorists were arrested in England by early Thursday morning, in an operation that involved British intelligence, Scotland Yard and assistance by a number of other law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including those in Pakistan.
ABC News has learned that two "significant arrests" in Pakistan in recent days may have significantly accelerated the pace of the investigation.
Many of the alleged terror plotters appeared to be of Pakistani descent. It appears that they were probably "homegrown" terrorists with strong links to al Qaeda and Pakistani operatives. This new generation of terrorists have figured significantly in plots in the U.S., London and Canada in recent months.
In this case, the plotters apparently intended to assemble small but powerful bombs in flight and use them to take down flights from England to the United States in an operation that was just days away.
Airport security was tight in both nations. A "red alert" -- the highest alert level -- was issued in the U.S., and a "critical" state was issued in England. Passengers are undergoing intense scrutiny -- carry-on baggage of almost all kinds has been eliminated in Britain and delays abound at London's Heathrow, the world's busiest airport.
According to a Department of Homeland Security briefing to the aviation sector, the terrorists appear to have planned to use multiple persons aboard each flight to assemble peroxide-based liquid or gel high explosives. The bomb-making materials could easily be concealed in small containers -- water bottles, tooth paste tubes, juice boxes and any of the other numerous person items passengers traditionally take into the passenger compartment of commercial flights.
At least nine transcontinental flights from American, United and Continental airlines were targeted in the plot. ABC News has learned that terrorists planned to attack the planes three at a time, waiting an hour between each attack.
According to federal authorities, two or three bombers would each carry a separate portion of the bomb onto the plane to avoid detection. Once onboard the bomb would be assembled and then detonated by using heat or friction.
British authorities had been tracking some of the suspects for several weeks but stepped in to round up the plotters when they began to book flight reservations and before any of the suspects purchased tickets.
British authorities have shared parts of the investigation with the FBI, and out of concern for leaks, only the barest details were shared with regional authorities as late as last night.
Now there is a continued concern that other members of the cell remain on the loose and may remain a present danger to intercontinental air traffic as well as air traffic in Europe. Raids were expected to continue in England throughout the day, and authorities were said to be seeking the "factories" where the bomb parts were prepared.
U.S. authorities, meanwhile, were running down leads to ensure no plotters or associates were within U.S. borders and intent on causing harm.
August 10, 2006 in U.K. Airline Terror Plot | Permalink | User Comments (250)
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Looks like the 'next' 9-11 was prevented. I wonder if the authorties "cheated" and wire tapped the suspect's phone calls? I hope so.
Posted by: PS | Aug 10, 2006 10:46:36 AM
I find it ironic that Brain Ross, who is so concerned with terrorism against the US has attacked the very technologies that can protect the US from terrorism. Well done Brian!
Posted by: john grelich | Aug 10, 2006 10:59:26 AM
Remember, "we are not really at war" and "there is no terrorist threat."
Brought to you by leading liberal Democrats by you.
Posted by: Willie Jackson | Aug 10, 2006 11:10:35 AM
I FIND IT VERY TELLING THAT JUST
LAST WEEK 11 FOREIGN EGYPTIAN
MEN HAVE NOT REPORTED TO A MONTANA
COLLEGE. COULD THEY BE A CELL??
HOW COME THE MEDIA DOES NOT PRINT THEIR NAMES AND PHOTOS???
Posted by: john | Aug 10, 2006 11:11:47 AM
The citizenry of the world need to seriously consider "EXECUTION" for those involved in terrorism..Wherever they are, Whomever they are regardless of their involvement...."DEATH"..."PUBLIC" summary executions.....
Posted by: Oliver | Aug 10, 2006 11:25:39 AM
Thank God for George W. Bush fighting the war against Islamists and progressives at the same time.
Posted by: Scott Bieller | Aug 10, 2006 11:36:38 AM
Why wasn't the term "Muslim" or "Islamic" used ANYWHERE in this article??
Is it because you believe there is no connection there?
Posted by: Thomas Zaccone | Aug 10, 2006 11:41:59 AM
Bush is at the ranch again. Uh-oh
Posted by: rickygee | Aug 10, 2006 11:44:25 AM
Good work
Posted by: andrew ray | Aug 10, 2006 11:49:20 AM
Good article and fine reporting with the exception of a small dose of PCism. What's wrong with calling out these terrorists for what they are? Islamic Arab Muslims who should be dealt with harsely???
Posted by: Roland | Aug 10, 2006 12:01:17 PM
Anyone in favor of profiling yet? Anyone? What's it going to take? Stop with the PC crap, and start rounding these characters up. Death or political correctness? You choose.
Posted by: Laura Wilson | Aug 10, 2006 12:01:17 PM
? And still US Democrats talk of negotiation and peace with Jihadists???.
lunacy --madness -- jibberish
Joseph Lieberman is right !!
Posted by: steveDow | Aug 10, 2006 12:02:40 PM
Win for security forces now let's start profiling and finish the job.
Posted by: don | Aug 10, 2006 12:04:24 PM
How does the fact that these terrorists were "home-grown" betray underlying problems in british society? It is rejection by their "home" society that causes immigrant youth to seek affirmation and social acceptance elsewhere. This is not simply a problem associated with being muslim. Exclusion of immigrants from their new community is a social issue, and until it is addressed it will continue to produce these outcomes--home-grown terrorists.
Posted by: angela | Aug 10, 2006 12:06:55 PM
Okay so what do you have to say Democrats? Always quick to jump the President as he continues to work hard against this SOB's. Keep up the good work GW!!!!
Posted by: gloria | Aug 10, 2006 12:10:49 PM
So now what? The Brits will take 4 years to convict the slime and spend tens of millions to do it. Then they will let them go in less than 10 years including time served so that they can turn around and try it again.
Stupid not to have execution for terrorisim.
Posted by: Stan | Aug 10, 2006 12:10:58 PM
To all of you who criticize homeland security and other similar agencies,
Look at what they have accomplished in just over 7 months this year. Plots to blow up the tunnels in New England and now this. I'm glad they are doing their jobs.
Now how about the administration does something about this oil situation?
Posted by: Grant Thompson | Aug 10, 2006 12:16:29 PM
We will finally get it after we get it again and again.
Posted by: Austin Ace | Aug 10, 2006 12:16:51 PM
Bush had nothing to do with these arrests. Give credit to British and Pakistanis LAW ENFORCEMENT that, by the way, did not have to invade a country to make these arrests. I guess law enforcement does have its place in fighting terrorism.
As for fighting a war against terrorists and Progressives, if Bush and the Administration had tried to enlist Progressives in the fight against terrorism, we wouldn't have the internal dissension that has wracked our country. Instead, the Administration, from 2002 forward tried to make the GWOT a Republican issue. Only by pulling together and agreeing that Americans of various political persuasions are NOT the enemy can we unite our country again.
Posted by: Barry | Aug 10, 2006 12:17:36 PM
Will this get the anti-war liberals to understand why we must fight for the good of all mankind.
Posted by: Kevin Veator | Aug 10, 2006 12:17:55 PM
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