Posted on 08/05/2004 1:39:55 PM PDT by dennisw
Al-Qaeda ace may have been arrested in UK By Peter Fray, Herald Correspondent in London, and agencies August 6, 2004
British authorities are believed to have foiled a well-developed plot to bomb Heathrow Airport by one of al-Qaeda's most senior operatives in Europe.
The agent, known as Abu Eisa al Hindi, is believed to be among 13 men arrested by anti-terrorism police in Britain this week.
Twelve of the men, aged 19 to 32, are still being questioned by Scotland Yard detectives on suspicion of being involved in the "preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".
Police have declined to confirm that Abu Eisa, described as al-Qaeda's European chief, is one of those detained.
If he is among those seized, it is believed his arrest may have been linked to the recent capture of al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan.
Intelligence sources in Pakistan and the US have described the possible arrest of Abu Eisa as a vital breakthrough against attacks that authorities suspect are being planned in Britain and the US. An unnamed US official told The Washington Post he had access to detailed surveillance of five financial institutions in Washington, New Jersey and New York that was said to have been stored in the computer of a suspect arrested in Pakistan.
Advertisement Advertisement The key Pakistani operative has been identified as Mohammed Naeem Noor Khan. He is believed to have been in direct contact with Abu Eisa about plans for an attack at Heathrow, the busiest airport in the world.
Khan is believed to have travelled to Britain at least six times in recent years and is a said to be a link between European cells and Osama bin Laden.
A Scotland Yard official quoted by The Times confirmed the British raids had netted a significant figure, though other sources were keen to play down links between the arrests in Pakistan and Britain.
Police said they seized computers, mobile phones and documents in the raids.
Britain's Islamic leaders have warned against the targeting of Muslims and have noted that of more than 600 arrests since September 11, 2001, fewer than 100 people have been charged and only 14 convicted of terrorist-related crimes.
It is unclear what style of attack may have been planned at Heathrow, though previous anti-terrorism measures have concentrated on plans to use either a truck bomb at one or more of the four passenger terminals, or the possible use of surface-to-air missiles against an aircraft.
Security at the airport has been stepped up over the past two years, and tanks and armed guards were positioned there for several days in February last year.
The unidentified US official also claimed that investigators believe there may be a link between Abu Eisa and other recent intelligence that is said to have raised concerns among counter-terrorism officials in Washington.
The arrests in Pakistan that may have led investigators to Abu Eisa are thought to have begun in June with the seizure of Mussad Aruchi, who is said to be an al-Qaeda operative.
Aruchi, described as a nephew of Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the architect of the September 11 attacks, is said to have told interrogators he "was sure that al-Qaeda would hit New York or Washington pretty soon".
Abu Eisa Al Bundy
Good for Blair. He needs a good catch, and this is one.
If he was the Ace, who was the King and Queen?
Some might say that is 14 too many.
Wonder if the British fishwraps will question the timing of this?
Yes, this guy might either sign like a bird or die like the dog he is.
Folks....according to CBS, this was the guy who WROTE THE SURVEILLANCE REPORTS OF THE FINANCIAL BUILDINGS THAT LED TO THE INCREASED TERROR ALERT!
Also, on a sobering note.....
Al Queda chatter has decreased tremendously according to the CBS reporter....who tends to be really good (and actually I respect him, though I forgot his name).
Chatter dropped tremendously right before the Sept. 11 attacks as well.
Could we change the title? This is the man who wrote the intelligence reports that led to the increased terror alert. This is a significant nab for the US, not just Britain.
Al Qaeda's communication hub has been seized and thereby compromised, forcing the terrorists to send physical couriers out with messages.
That would tend to cut down on the chatter.
5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
I am a little uncomfortable with them arresting "teenagers". Was that absolutely necessary?
Teenagers can be terroristss too, like the suicide bombers in Israel.
I'm thinkin' sarcasm...
True.
Yes, you may be right, although, when I read it, I did not think of it that way.
Regards.
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