lily
08-11-2006, 01:43 AM
Britain thwarts terror plot to blow up several aircraft
By The Associated Press
Last update - 15:41 10/08/2006
LONDON - British authorities said Thursday they had thwarted a terrorist plot to simultaneously blow up several aircraft flying to the United States using explosives smuggled in hand luggage, averting what police described as "mass murder on an unimaginable scale."
Police arrested 21 people, and said they were confident they had captured the main suspects in the alleged plot.
Officials raised security to its highest level - suggesting a terrorist attack might be imminent - and banned hand-carried luggage on all trans-Atlantic flights. Huge crowds formed at security barriers as officials searching for explosives barred nearly every form of liquid outside of baby formula.
"This was to be a simultaneous attack on multiple targets, targeting U.S.-bound aircraft," a police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
The extreme measures at one of the world's largest aviation hubs sent ripples throughout the world. Heathrow airport was closed to most flights from Europe.
The U.S. government responded by raising its threat assessment to its highest level for commercial flights from Britain to the United States amid fears the plot had not been completely crushed. Terrorists had targeted United, American and Continental airline, two U.S. counter terrorism officials said.
Police are confident they have disrupted the plot against aircraft, which was "intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale," Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson said Thursday.
Police arrested 21 people in London, its suburbs and in Birmingham, central England. Searches continued in a number of locations.
The suspects were "homegrown," though it was not immediately clear if they were all British citizens, the police official said, adding that police were working with the South Asian community.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, vacationing in the Caribbean, briefed U.S. President George W. Bush on the situation, Blair's office said.
The months-long investigation into the suspected terrorist plot had global dimensions and involved unprecedented surveillance, police anti-terrorist chief Peter Clarke said
By The Associated Press
Last update - 15:41 10/08/2006
LONDON - British authorities said Thursday they had thwarted a terrorist plot to simultaneously blow up several aircraft flying to the United States using explosives smuggled in hand luggage, averting what police described as "mass murder on an unimaginable scale."
Police arrested 21 people, and said they were confident they had captured the main suspects in the alleged plot.
Officials raised security to its highest level - suggesting a terrorist attack might be imminent - and banned hand-carried luggage on all trans-Atlantic flights. Huge crowds formed at security barriers as officials searching for explosives barred nearly every form of liquid outside of baby formula.
"This was to be a simultaneous attack on multiple targets, targeting U.S.-bound aircraft," a police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
The extreme measures at one of the world's largest aviation hubs sent ripples throughout the world. Heathrow airport was closed to most flights from Europe.
The U.S. government responded by raising its threat assessment to its highest level for commercial flights from Britain to the United States amid fears the plot had not been completely crushed. Terrorists had targeted United, American and Continental airline, two U.S. counter terrorism officials said.
Police are confident they have disrupted the plot against aircraft, which was "intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale," Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson said Thursday.
Police arrested 21 people in London, its suburbs and in Birmingham, central England. Searches continued in a number of locations.
The suspects were "homegrown," though it was not immediately clear if they were all British citizens, the police official said, adding that police were working with the South Asian community.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, vacationing in the Caribbean, briefed U.S. President George W. Bush on the situation, Blair's office said.
The months-long investigation into the suspected terrorist plot had global dimensions and involved unprecedented surveillance, police anti-terrorist chief Peter Clarke said