by Byrne » Thu Aug 10, 2006 6:41 am
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>'Major counter-terrorism' operation foils plot to blow up aircraft</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>Publisher: Ian Morgan<br>Published: 10/08/2006 - 08:15:22 AM <br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>From <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.24dash.com/content/news/viewNews.php?navID=7&newsID=9074" target="top">here</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br><br> <br>Heathrow Airport A "very significant" terrorist plot to blow up aircraft in mid-air has been foiled by police and security services, Home Secretary John Reid said today.<br><br>They carried out a "major counter-terrorism operation to disrupt what we believe to be a major threat to the UK and international partners," Mr Reid said.<br><br>He said that the plot was designed to "bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life".<br><br>Security at all UK airports was increased and passengers faced massive delays as they arrived to check in this morning.<br><br>Travellers were warned that they could not take any hand luggage on board flights.<br><br>Specific restrictions on liquids prompted speculation that the terrorists were planning to smuggle liquid explosive devices on board.<br><br>If it had been successful, the terror plot would have been the first 'spectacular' since last year's July 7 attacks on London, which killed 52 people.<br><br>If a large number of aircraft had been involved, it could have rivalled the death and destruction of the September 11 attacks on the US.<br><br>A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "It is believed that the aim was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on board the aircraft in hand luggage.<br><br>"It is believed that the attacks would have been particularly targeted at flights from the UK to the USA."<br><br>Sources indicated that around 18 or 19 people in London and the Thames Valley were arrested last night although there was no official confirmation of the number from police.<br><br>It is believed the covert investigation has been going on for several months and it is understood that officers made the arrests overnight not because they feared an attack was likely to happen today but for other intelligence reasons which meant they had to act quickly.<br><br>Mr Reid added: "At 2am this morning the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre raised the UK threat state to its highest level - CRITICAL."<br><br>He added: "This is a precautionary measure. We are doing everything possible to disrupt any further terrorist activity."<br><br>A Department of Transport spokesman said: "All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports."<br><br>Passengers were told they could take a few items such as passports medicines and nappies on board in a clear plastic bag.<br><br>All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be X-ray screened.<br><br>The spokesman added: "These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure.<br><br>"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. In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.<br><br>"If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier."<br><br>A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We would like to reassure the public that this operation was carried out with public safety uppermost in our minds. This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex."<br><br>Copyright Press Association 2006<!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END--><br><br>blanket coverage on the BBC Breakfast News of 'Terror Plot foiled'. very little details of what has actually happened. From <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/" target="top">Blairwatch</a><!--EZCODE LINK END-->, the news programmes <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>are going over and over the same few details like a media version of repetitive behaviour syndrome), it appears that MI5(orwhoever) has been monitoring this latest bunch of nutjobs for a while and decided that NOW was the moment to jump in and do the grab and cuff. Yeah, NOW, just after a big antiwar demo and just after a large chunk of MPs made their displeasure with Blair utterly clear, and just after the <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/Politics/homeaffairs/story/0,,1840723,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1" target="top">resignation</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> of (British MP for the constituency where Prestwick Airport - used for the transer of weapons etc. to Israel) Jim Sheridan.<br><br>Timing is everything, and so is news management.</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br><br><br> <p></p><i></i>
