Immminent terror attack foiled

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778575.stm

 

A terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the UK to the US has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said.

 

It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on aircraft in hand luggage.

 

Police have arrested about 18 people in the London area after an anti-terrorist operation lasting several months.

 

Security at all airports in the UK has been tightened and delays are reported. MI5 has raised the UK threat level to critical - the highest possible.

 

According to MI5's website, critical threat level means "an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK".

 

BBC home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford says he does not think the police believe an attack is imminent.

 

 

I was handed a piece of paper saying that pretty much nothing could be taken on board the plane

Joe Lynam

BBC journalist at Gatwick

 

In full: Transport advice

 

"The reason for raising the threat level is in case there is some other sub-plot, back-up plot around this that the police aren't aware of," he said.

 

Scotland Yard said in a statement that their investigation into the alleged plot was a "major operation" which would be "lengthy and complex".

 

"We would like to reassure the public that this operation was carried out with public safety uppermost in our minds."

 

Home Secretary John Reid confirmed that there had apparently been a plot "to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions causing a considerable loss of life".

 

Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday in the Caribbean, but Downing Street said the police operation was undertaken with his full support and he had been "in constant touch".

 

A spokesman for Number 10 added that Mr Blair had briefed US President George Bush on the situation during the night.

 

Transparent bags

 

The Department for Transport set out the details of the security measures at UK airports.

 

 

THREAT LEVEL

The current threat level is assessed as critical as of 10th August 2006 - this means that an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK

MI5 statement

 

Reid's terror plea

 

Passengers will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK, the department said.

 

Only the barest essentials - including passports and wallets - will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.

 

"We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the government, will need to be in place for a limited period only," the statement said.

 

'Jam-packed'

 

At Heathrow Airport, BBC presenter Fiona Bruce said there were "ranks of people" unable to get into the terminal.

 

"Terminal One is completely at a standstill. Nobody is being checked in at all."

 

Stansted Airport

Passengers have to put any carry-on luggage in plastic bags

 

She said it was "jam-packed", but passengers were managing to remain "good natured".

 

BBC journalist Joe Lynam encountered the increased security measures at Gatwick airport.

 

"I was handed a piece of paper saying that pretty much nothing could be taken on board the plane," he said.

 

"Everything had to be checked in and that includes mobile phones, ipods, wallets - even spectacle cases had to be checked in."

 

British Airways said that passengers who do not wish to fly on Thursday can rebook on flights leaving over the next two weeks.

 

David Learmount from Flight International Magazine said he expected passengers to be searched much more carefully.

 

He added: "This is the first time this measure has actually been taken. Certainly I've never seen hand luggage banned."

[Sideburnious 0]

Yeah, this is fucked up. My mothers supposed to be flying to Canada in two days (well, tommorrow morning at about 6a.m) and this happens. Id say this is going to completely fuck up her plans.

[Guest DRH 502]

Motherfuckers. BURN UM!!!!

[bobobrazil1984 0]

I heard somewhere that they were going to use liquid explosives?

That's a new one. I wonder what it looks like. Are we seeing the day where explosives can be smuggled in bottles of water/coke/etc?

 

Major props for Scotland Yard for their competancy

[Dr. Zaius 0]

The airports being backed up like crazy are being reported on every channel. This avoided tragedy is a good reminder that travelling is still dangerous and the inconveniences we face really are necessary to keep people safe.

[2GOLD 0]

This could end up leading to an carry on ban of baby bottles, sodas, cell phones and computers.

[TheShooter 0]

Forget a ban on baby bottles, how about a ban on babies? It would make flying much more pleasant.

[snuffbox 0]

Our Commander-in-Chief is already using this would-be tragedy to spew political rhetoric. How long until Dick Cheney says 'I told you so'?

[Dr. Zaius 0]

Unless someone put Bush in charge of Scotland Yard, I don't see how he could possibly take credit for this.

[snuffbox 0]

His political party is the ONLY ONE fighting Islamic fascism in America, of course he will take credit for this. If the Defeat-ocrats were in charge they would have somehow filled Scotland Yard with terrorists.

[Ravenbomb 0]

theoretically, couldn't one soak a t-shirt with different chemicals and smuggle them on that way?

[snuffbox 0]

Paging Mr. Chertoff!

[2GOLD 0]

theoretically, couldn't one soak a t-shirt with different chemicals and smuggle them on that way?

 

That's it, in the interest of safety and secruity, all very hot chicks have to get on planes completely nude!

And if they won't strip down to nothing, TERRORIST!

 

I think that's a plan we can all get behind.

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

Well finally... proof that invading Iraq was a good idea.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

This could end up leading to an carry on ban of baby bottles, sodas, cell phones and computers.

That's what worries me. We can live in a country where any form of personal convenience is disallowed but as long as we don't get blown up, we win. I on't feel my personal liberties have been threatened. But at some point, we have to step back and realize that winning a war against terrorism is not simply a matter of survival. We haven't lost civilian lives to terrorism in five years, but we're paying twice as much for gasoline. A small band of Islamic fundamendalists have done much to stretch our resources thin, more so than they really should have any ability to.

[NoCalMike 0]

This could end up leading to an carry on ban of baby bottles, sodas, cell phones and computers.

That's what worries me. We can live in a country where any form of personal convenience is disallowed but as long as we don't get blown up, we win. I on't feel my personal liberties have been threatened. But at some point, we have to step back and realize that winning a war against terrorism is not simply a matter of survival. We haven't lost civilian lives to terrorism in five years, but we're paying twice as much for gasoline. A small band of Islamic fundamendalists have done much to stretch our resources thin, more so than they really should have any ability to.

 

 

Well that's what happens when certain events in history are used to launch a new international policy while the country is too scared to question the administration. Hellooooo 2002~! Of course it is nice and very convenient that the majority of America is coming around on this now, but it would have been a hell of a lot nicer had these same people been paying this much attention BEFORE these actions had been set into motion. It would have been a hell of a lot easier to prevent the war in iraq from starting, then trying to manage the current situation.

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

This could end up leading to an carry on ban of baby bottles, sodas, cell phones and computers.

That's what worries me. We can live in a country where any form of personal convenience is disallowed but as long as we don't get blown up, we win. I on't feel my personal liberties have been threatened. But at some point, we have to step back and realize that winning a war against terrorism is not simply a matter of survival. We haven't lost civilian lives to terrorism in five years, but we're paying twice as much for gasoline. A small band of Islamic fundamendalists have done much to stretch our resources thin, more so than they really should have any ability to.

 

 

Well that's what happens when certain events in history are used to launch a new international policy while the country is too scared to question the administration. Hellooooo 2002~! Of course it is nice and very convenient that the majority of America is coming around on this now, but it would have been a hell of a lot nicer had these same people been paying this much attention BEFORE these actions had been set into motion. It would have been a hell of a lot easier to prevent the war in iraq from starting, then trying to manage the current situation.

 

 

Maybe so Mike. But I don't blame people for being scared. That 9-11 shit really cut to the bone for everyone who saw it. As long as it gets the remedy I'll have no complaint about my country. A mistake is a mistake. Apologise, fix it, and try not to dwell. It does no good to hold grudges in the long run. I have my doubts about too many people sharing this point of view.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

some interesting notes as i'm listening to the news.

 

Pakistani intelligence got the initial lead that found out about this. if not for them, who knows if anybody would have found it.

 

secondly, then the brits had managed to get an undercover agent inside the group who gave them specifics. human intelligence is indeed the best weapon for things like this.

[Timmy8271 0]

Good thing the british stopped it. I seriously doubt The bush administration would have even known about it. All they care about is Isreal and keeping the piece.

 

Chertoff is a fucking joke. He should be fired. Look how well he responded during Katrina.

[Omar20003000 0]

I don't know I am kind of skeptical of this situation.

 

NYC Subway plot earlier was found to to be a hoax

 

What about the terror suspects in Canada.... why hasn't more been spoken about that

 

The Seven Morons in a Warehouse in Florida who were "suspected" as terror suspects

 

I really think this is a way to justify action in Lebanon and expand the operation towards Iran.... but that is just my opinion

[Guest Bammey]

Oohh... The conspiracy theories.

 

ABC said anyone with basic knowledge of chemistry could've pulled that off. They say an ignition of the liquid substance could've happened by a simle camera flash they say. Double screening of passengers is next. Do what you can to ensure safety.

[Omar20003000 0]

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."-Benjamin Franklin

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Having to check the bag that holds your shampoo isn't losing an essential liberty.

 

That being said, I'm glad I'm not flying anywhere till Thanksgiving. What a pain in the ass.

[Art Sandusky 0]

If it's a conspiracy, it's not the one you think it is. This is clearly pushing us to drive more often, which means we need lotsa oil.

[trackc53 0]

"If it's a conspiracy, it's not the one you think it is. This is clearly pushing us to drive more often, which means we need lotsa oil."

 

I guess if gas prices skyrocket again, we have THIS reason to fall back on this time.

[Dogbert 0]

I don't know I am kind of skeptical of this situation.

 

NYC Subway plot earlier was found to to be a hoax

 

What about the terror suspects in Canada.... why hasn't more been spoken about that

 

The Seven Morons in a Warehouse in Florida who were "suspected" as terror suspects

 

I really think this is a way to justify action in Lebanon and expand the operation towards Iran.... but that is just my opinion

 

I got the tin-foil out. Anyone know how to make a hat?

[Art Sandusky 0]

This seems a bit more serious and legitimate, but his points about previous incidents are valid.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Oohh... The conspiracy theories.

 

ABC said anyone with basic knowledge of chemistry could've pulled that off. They say an ignition of the liquid substance could've happened by a simle camera flash they say. Double screening of passengers is next. Do what you can to ensure safety.

 

How about a pop bottle full of gas? Doesn't even require a basic knowledge of chemistry.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

We can't possibly screen every single person and every single bottle or item a person has that gets on an airline. The bottom line is this country needs to make sure these people don't get into the country in the first place. As far as the UK, it seems like they were on top of things this time.

[Special K 0]

Actually they can, as the only liquids of any sort allowed on the plane are baby bottles, which must be tasted by the mother.