Breaking: Major Terror Plot Foiled in UK
Charles Johnson
Wed Aug 9, 2006 at 10:49 pm PDT • Views: 560
Plane Terror Plot Disrupted. (Hat tip: GNIDAthe#seCond.)
Police say they have disrupted a major plot to blow up planes in mid-flight with explosive devices smuggled aboard as hand luggage.
Sky News has been told the plan was to blow up around a dozen planes over UK and US cities. Police are said to have arrested 20 people in London - the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.
Passengers trying to board international flights from the UK are not being allowed to carry on hand luggage.
The Home Office’s level of security - indicating public risk - has been raised from ‘severe’ to ‘critical’.
Sky News’ Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said he understood the threat was imminent and those arrested were mainly young, British-born Asian men.
He said the alleged plan involved people boarding flights and detonating explosives on planes over UK and US cities.
The swoop followed a pre-planned intelligence led operation by the Met’s anti-terrorist branch and security service.
A police statement said: “This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex. We will provide further information as soon as possible.”
Frank says: