'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.

[Miss Marple]

I am going to have to fight for the TV today because grandkids are coming. I will try to keep up. Right now I am going to go make hubby his coffee.

[nopardons]

You just nailed it all.

[Mo1]

Well .. my kids went to bed late .. so I'm praying they will sleep late and I'll get a couple hours of sleep

If not .. I'm gonna be hurting *L*

With that .. I'm really off to the couch to watch the TV and hopefully fall asleep

[Ladypixel]

Blonde hair and blue eyed Norwegian Muslims?

Nope. Norway, along with a great many other European countries, has a large Muslim population now. Denmark is quite disturbed about theirs, I hear tell... to appease the Muslims there, they had to build a huge mosque in Copenhagen. So I can't imagine Norway being much different.

Don't know the answers to your questions about faked documents, though. I'm not in that line of work, either.

[nopardons]

I'm watching Sky News on FOX and typing what they say, for those without T.V.; I have no links.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Unofficial information:

http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/site/modules/news/

*UK TERROR LEVEL RAISED TO CRITICAL

*AT LEAST 18 ARRESTED OR DETAINED, CURRENT THREAT DESCRIBED AS "SIGNIFICANT"

*INTELLIGENCE SOURCES: "MAJOR TERRORIST OPERATION, SOME 'PLANNERS' MIGHT BE IN US"

*UK FLIGHTS: "NO CARRY-ON BAGGAGE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE"

*10 August 2006; 0330 ET: Police in the U.K. have reportedly foiled a plot to smuggle explosive devices in airline hand luggage to blow up planes in mid-flight, or take over aircraft and crash them into targets inside the U.S.

Police in the United Kingdom have reportedly arrested 18 suspects, and more being sought in the UK and at least 2 other countries, including the US. According to US intelligence sources close to the Northeast Intelligence Network, the investigation is expected to expand "well beyond the UK," and described the threat to the US as "just the tip of the iceberg and very significant."

In the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security raised the threat level to the "highest level" for commercial flights from Britain to the United States in response to the terror plot in London. The general threat level for all flights within the U.S. or entering the country has also been elevated.

[onyx]

Before I nuke them? LOL! OK.

[nopardons]

Yes, he is.

[MEG33]

I hope so..What is this about informing the imams before the raids..Good Grief!

[Timeout]

If I were taking bets, I would have to say the "overblown" and "vacation" complaints will first be aired on Hardball at 7PM. Just a hunch.

[Cindy]

Hey, that's great NoPardons.

I'm out visiting sites on the net, so you know I appreciate you doing that.

[nopardons]

Thanks, but now I really am going to drag myself off to bed.

[GretchenM]

I wonder if they will stop allowing carry ons?

I've had the same thought. Seems likely to be the next step in this parade.

I'd like the contract to sell items aboard aircraft to entertain the passengers.

[onyx]

Good idea --- the couch looks good.

[MEG33]

Sad but true..BUMP!

[NorthWoody]

placemarker.

[JoeGar]

I'm going to HATE my job when this happens. Two hours in the air with NOTHING to do but read "Sky Mall".

Ah, but think how nice it will be to have people boarding the airplane without trying to carry-on everything they own. They might have to learn to check their bags! And boarding could be completed in two minutes!

[nopardons]

bttt

[Caipirabob]

Another update for this thread:

Yahoo News - 8 mins ago - British police thwart aircraft bomb plot

Excerpt:

"LONDON - British police said Thursday they had arrested 21 people in connection with a terror plot against airlines traveling from Britain to the U.S. which was "intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale."

"London's Heathrow airport, the busiest airport in Europe, was closed to most European flights Thursday morning after officials raised Britain's national security alert to its highest level — suggesting a terrorist attack may imminent. Huge crowds formed at security barriers."

[nopardons]

Oh oh................