[Little Pig]

Possibly, though if I recall correctly, the "suitcase" was metal-lined to help concentrate the blast wave of the conventional explosives further, so any non-nuclear detonation might do nothing more than turn the case into a metal beachball.

[GingisK]

metal-lined to help concentrate the blast wave of the conventional explosives further...

Don't confuse the maintenance and lifetime issues of "hydrogen bombs" with those of "atomic bombs". These are worlds apart.

[D Rider]

Possibly, though if I recall correctly, the "suitcase" was metal-lined to help concentrate the blast wave of the conventional explosives further, so any non-nuclear detonation might do nothing more than turn the case into a metal beachball.

Too bad, I would hope that the terrorist would be lying there bleeding to death wondering where his arm went.

[Nov3]

First it would crap up a substantial area. No container is going to hold the force of several pounds of high explosives. Second atomic bombs are not hydrogen bombs. hydrogen bombs need much more maintenance than a simple nuke.

Now that being said - if they had one it would have gone off by now. They would not risk losing it unused.