'Plot to blow up planes' foiled [UK TERROR THREAT LEVEL RAISED TO IMMINENT{U.S.raised terror level)

BBC News ^ | Thursday, 10 August 2006, 05:06 GMT 06:06 UK | Unknown

[gary_b_UK]

A major terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight has been disrupted by police, Scotland Yard says.

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

During the night, police arrested a number of people in London after a counter-terrorist operation they said had lasted several months.

Police believe the attacks would have been particularly targeted at flights from the UK to the US.

The Department for Transport said security at all UK airports has been increased.

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

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

[yield 2 the right]

Just my thoughts: Could this plot have been not only to down the targeted planes from MId-Flight but also to cause major damage/death on the ground ie poison gas interaction?

[nopardons]

Six planes ( but Scotland Yard won't confirm it ) were to be involved, this was to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale, 21 in custody, many MORE still loose. It was planned to be mid-flight explosions.

Parliament has known about this of a month.

The American CIA and FBI have been involved.

Blair briefed Bush for months and on his last trip here.

[Mo1]

You got that right

[Cindy]

There's a lot of stuff out there...

Would you be thinking of Mugniyah/Hezbollah?

[SeaBiscuit]

Thanks! :^)

[GeronL]

I didn't like the sound of Scotland Yard calling up all major imams in Britain before the raids in order to notify them.

That is that PC crap that tips off the enemy... stupid.

but they said it was "no particular community"... did they warn the Anglicans, Baptists, Presbyterians and other communities too??

[Dallas59]

I can imgaine Bush said more than just S--t!

[The Red Zone]

Not trying to be funny or clever. Sometimes they do act like Inspector Clouseau, except with machine guns.

[Cindy]

You're welcome.

[daybreakcoming]

Thank you for answering my question.

And now marking my place.

[Eurotwit]

Why is everyone suspecting us?

Seriously though...

Norwegian media is reporting today that 100 000 Norwegian passports have been stolen.

So look out for terrorist using Norwegian passports.

[richiehass]

Hey now, I wasn't trying to be a jerk. You were the one who was using capital letters, not me. Calm down!

[Allegra]

God protect freedom loving people everywhere and God protect our troops.

Amen.

[onyx]

I've had to fly a lot in during the past 2 years but I only started worrying this summer. The flight from Dallas to San Diego caused me a lot of worry -- women in burkas and lots of Muslim men.... all seated throughout the aircraft.

[nopardons]

Nope, not a distraction at all. How can you even dare to consider that the murder of thousands of people to be a "distraction"? Good grief!

[GeronL]

I don't think candy+soda is going to bring down a plane... but it will make a sticky mess inside the plan

[jerryem]

Notice to all! Airbus Industries employees more than 3,200 Muslims in there assembly vacillates, that to me is more scary, ANYBODY KNOW WHO LEFT THIS LUNCHBOX HIDDEN IN HERE 2 YEARS AGO?

[Dallas59]

That would be...upsetting to say the least.

[NorthWoody]

Like I said in some other post (I'm losing track of what I've said to whom here ...:), the security precautions only need to continue until we eliminate the threat.

In order to eliminate the threat, though, we need to take the bull by the horns, dispense with political correctness and stop playing Mr. Nice Guy. Give me official authorization, an M16, a .45 cal sidearm, a good nightstick, and a Nomex suit with cargo pants and I'll go to work immediately.

The official authorization is what will be the most difficult to secure, and therein lies the crux of the problem. Too much pc mollycoddling.

[Miss Marple]

Good heavens.

Tony Blair and President Bush have discussed this several times.

I wonder if this was why the press conference from Crawford was NOT live. This is what they did after 9/11...restricted live access.