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UK/BM-139 TRANSLATION

LESSON FIFTEEN

EXPLOSIVES

UK/BM-140 TRANSLATION

Introduction:

Explosives are believed to be the safest weapon for the Mujahideen [TN: Mujahideen does not refer to a specific group but rather is a generic term for holy warriors.] [Using explosives] allows them to get away from enemy personnel and to avoid being arrested. An assassination using explosives doesn’t leave any evidence or traces at the operation site. In addition, explosives strike the enemy with sheer terror and fright.

Defining Explosives:

They consist of chemical compounds or mixtures capable of being converted into large quantities of hot gas in a very short period of time. It is affected by a specific external agent that produces increasing pressure, resulting in a chain reaction.

Explosive Chain [Reactions]

A series of initial explosions starting with a small amount of highly sensitive explosives and ends with a large charge composed of basically stable explosives. It is composed of explosions arranged to bring about a large yield.

The simplest explosive chain [reaction] has two stages whereas other explosions could require four stages or more. Any break in the chain prevents the material which follows it from exploding.

The Usual Series

The series starts with a small spark and ends with a sizeable explosion.

1 - The Spark

2 - Combustible material

3 - A small amount of secondary material

4 - Basic charge

UK/BM-141 TRANSLATION

Methods of Detonation:

This means pyrotechnics or electronic devices used for detonation. They are divided into means of generating - means of transferring - means of stabilizing

A - Means of Generating

Divided into:

1 - Combustible Means

2 - Mechanical Means

B - Means of Transferring

Types of fuses -

First the Slow Fuse: (The Safety Fuse)

It consists of cotton or linen threads woven together and coated with an insulating layer of pitch or plastic, and has capsules of black gunpowder inside.

The threads help to circulate the wave of combustion. The pitch or plastic holds the fuse together and prevents it from absorbing moisture.

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1 - Ignites with sparks or flames.

2 - Ignites quickly, at about one centimeter per second.

3 - Ignites under water.

4 - Cutting it is a way to stop combustion.

UK/BM-142 TRANSLATION

How to Prepare for the Explosion:

1 - Cut an appropriate length of fuse and check that there is no moisture.

2 - cut the appropriate length of fuse for the distance that would be sufficiently safe.

3 - Cut one end of the fuse, which will be used for ignition, [at a 45 degree angle. The other end of the fuse, which is placed inside the blasting cap, should be at a 90-degree angle.

4 - Put the fuse inside the blasting cap carefully and cautiously, and then put moderate pressure on the opening of the blasting cap.

5 - Put the head of a match on the gunpowder at the end of the fuse cut at 45 degrees so that the head of the match touches the gunpowder, then ignite it by rubbing the flint on the pack with the match. It is possible that the fire will send its flame to the black gunpowder and the fuse will begin burning. In this case, cut the fuse on both ends at a 90-degree angle.

Observation:

White fuses are used in coal mines. Green fuses are used in the military, and they have more safety [features]. Black and orange [fuses] are for general civilian use.

Second, The Fast Fuse

It is the same as the slow fuse except for the fineness of the gunpowder and the speed at which it ignites, which goes up to 90 centimeters a second. Its use is limited to ambushes and traps. .

Important Warning:

Before using any type of fuse, take part of it and test it to check that it is free of moisture, also [check] the ignition speed because if you were to use a fast fuse supposing that it is

UK/BM-143 TRANSLATION

a slow one, then the burning will reach the blasting cap and the charge will explode before you leave the location.

Second, The Detonating Cord (Cortex Cord)

It consists of a flexible cord that contains highly explosive material covered with a layer of plastic to insulate it from moisture. It is distinguished from delayed fuses because it contains a very white substance, PETAN, though it could have another substance added to it, which would change its color to gray.

Characteristics:

1 - Speed of explosion varies between five and seven kilometers a second.

2 - It could explode with the force of 15 kilograms, or the round of a weapon.

3 - [Can be] used underwater for not more than 15 hours.

4 - It is used to explode several charges at the same time.

5 - It is affected by moisture, the sun, electric shocks, and mechanical jolts.

6 - It is used as an explosive belt to fell trees as well as cement and iron pillars.

7 - It is in the shape of a coil varying in length from 100 to 200 meters.

8 - It can be substituted for a large number of fuses.

9 - It is used as an open cord to clear the way in a mine field and to increase the width by doubling the number of detonating cords which form the cord.

UK/BM-144 TRANSLATION

Blasting Caps

Consist of a metal capsule [made] of copper or aluminum containing a small amount of catalyst and other stimuli. Care and caution must be used while handling because it is very sensitive to external factors (bumping, shaking, friction) .

Composition of a Normal Blasting Cap

It consists of an extended pipe, one end which contains sensitive explosive material, which is the basic substance. Its charge is also pressure-sensitive. The third charge is combustible.

Length of the cap is 5 cm. Diameter of the cap is 7 cm.

There is an example of the largest norma1 blasting cap. The normal blasting cap should only be exploded with a slow fuse.

[Drawing of a blasting cap with the captions: slow fuse (to the right) Chlorate and sugar 10% & Lead Nitrate 30% (beneath).]

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It has the same composition as the normal blasting cap, with the addition of a hot wire and connecting wire. The opening of the extended pipe is insulated with rubber.

[Drawing with the captions: hot wire (above), active substance (to the left), and (from right to left beneath:) Electrical wire, stabilizing column, wires, rubber, combustible charge, & catalyst.

UK/BM-145 TRANSLATION

Precautions that must be taken with Blasting Caps:

1 - Do not store blasting caps with explosive materials, and don’t expose them to the heat of the sun.

2 - Don’t test a blasting cap with an O’meter, Alpha meter or other electrical devices which have batteries lest it explode (this pertains to electrical blasting caps.)

Connecting and Connectors

First: Connecting one Slow Fuse with Another:

1 - Cut one end of the fuse at a 45-degree angle.

2 - Place the two sides next to each other so that the black powder is in contact with both of the fuses together.

3 - Connect the two sides with a strong tape or chord.

4 - The head of a match or something similar can be placed between the two ends of the fuse before the connector. The two of them must touch the match stick, which increases the flames burning between them (ensuring the transmission of the flame from one fuse to another.)

Second: Connecting a Slow Fuse with Another Blasting Cap (Explosive):

1 - A detonating cord can’t explode without a blasting cap, so there is no benefit from connecting a slow fuse directly; it should have a blasting cap placed between them to transfer the spark of the slow fuse to its cap so that the detonating cord will ignite.

2 - When the slow fuse ignites, the resulting spark reaches the cap and it explodes and ignites the fuse.

UK/BM-146 TRANSLATION

Third: Connecting the Detonating Cord with the End of the Cap:

The two detonating cords can be connected to one of the following:

1 - Place the two cords one above the other [overlapping] by 15 cm, and tie them with strong tape or cord.

[Drawing with the following captions: Blasting cap fuse (to the right), blasting cap fuse (to the left), and tape (beneath).

2 - with a straight knot. [Drawing (no caption)]

3 - A Tree Leaf [Knot]: [Drawing]

We connect this way when exploding two charges at the same time, starting from the main branch of the explosive cord, or to ensure the charge explodes using two detonating cords.

4 - The Letter P Connector: [Drawing]

This connector is used when the direction of the explosive wave in the main branch is not known.

UK/BM-147 TRANSLATION

5 - Letter Y Connector: [Drawing]

This method is also used when the direction of the explosive wave in the main branch is not known.

6 - Broken Chord Connector: [Drawing]

It is used when the time needed to prepare the charges is limited. Connect it with an explosive chord. Except for the problem of moisture, “Petan” causes a break in the fuse; it is not recommended to use this material for a period of more than 24 hours because of slackening of the two fuses, and they become separated.

7 - Letter U Connector: [Drawing]

It is the safest because the explosive wave transfers from the main line to the parallel branch in both directions.

UK/BM-148 TRANSLATION

Booby Traps:

These consist of creative, innovative methods aimed at planting anti-personnel and anti-vehicle explosive charges, and the enemy is blown up as a result of normal movement without paying attention to what is around him. Booby traps are considered one of the best ways to execute an assassination operation against enemy personnel because we have gotten a long distance away from the site of the incident without leaving any evidence or trace enabling the enemy to know who were the perpetrators.

However, a brother should not be allowed the opportunity to work with setting booby traps until after he has mastered the use of explosives and has successfully worked in the electrical and mechanical fields, because the first mistake a brother makes could be his last mistake.

One of the most important considerations in placing a booby trap is to make the right choice of the appropriate switch that the enemy would not notice [and avoid his detecting] and removal of the charge.

Any sign of our work or presence in the area where the booby trap was placed must be removed, because any tools, pieces of electrical wire, tape etc. would put the enemy on the alert, and the plan and operation would fail.

Switches for traps and explosive charge housings are categorized as follows:

1 - Electrical

2 - Chemical

3 - Mechanical

4 - Friction

Electrical Switches:

They can be divided into four groups:

A - For manual use: Pull - push - loosen - raise - drop.

B - Delayed (timed): Alarm clock - Temperature - Closed circuit (pressure placed on the insulator until it burns and contact is made.)

UK/BM-149 TRANSLATION

C - Modifying Natural Circumstances:

Temperature - Smoke or Sensitive Gas - Sensitive Metal.

D - With the Influence of Waves: FM waves - Radio - Infrared Rays - ultraviolet - or Radar Waves.

[Drawing with the following captions : ]

Switch (above). Charge with blasting cap (to the right), Opening to be closed after the operation is over (beneath), and Battery (to the left).

The entire success of the switch [depends on] intelligence, innovation, and judgment.

The Appropriate Switch

The electric circuit is considered the best because it is timely, but its only flaw is a leaky battery.

We will now touch on various simple types of booby traps to make it easy for the brother to comprehend; we have not written any new ideas in order to help invent other more preferable methods.

1 - The charge goes off when the door opens after the target has pulled the insulation from between the contact points, and the electrical circuit is broken. If we want to kill the target, we put [the booby trap] over the door; if we want to cut off his legs or bring about permanent injuries to various parts of the body, we put it in the vicinity of the door.

[Drawing (on the left) with captions:]

Nine V Battery (upper right), insulation (upper left), the explosive charge (on the door), The personnel use a line fixed the wall, and it can make the charge explode as soon as soon as the prominent famous person is under it (to the left.)

[Drawing on the right (with captions:]

When the door is opened, the insulation is separated and the circuit is broken (middle left), attached insulation (lower left), the explosive charge (beneath).

UK/BM-150 TRANSLATION

2 - Igniting / closing the circuit:

When the electric switch is pushed, the circuit is connected and the charge explodes.

[Drawing and captions: ]

Electric switch (upper left), charge without a fuse (bottom right), and battery (bottom left).

3 - Booby-trapping a recorder and television:

The idea is based on closing the circuit to [cause] the explosion when the equipment is turned on. A battery is used when setting the trap for a radio or recorder that works on batteries or by a power cord to the radio or television switch.

4- Booby-Trapping a Car:

Close the electrical circuit and cause the explosion when the ignition key is turned to start the car. It is possible to use the car battery when setting this type of trap. Explosives placed in locations inside the car, in the back or front, cause the explosion to be centered inside the car.

[Drawing with captions:]

Ignition key (above)

Charge with detonator and explosives (beneath).

UK/BM-151 TRANSLATION

5 - Trap using an Alarm Clock:

[Drawing with captions:]

Explosive charge (upper right), battery (upper left) , flexible rubber wire (middle right), small [hour] hand (upper middle left), and the big [minute] hand (lower middle right).

According to the drawing, the charge will explode at 3:30 , when the small hand is on three and the big is on six. There must not be any insulation between the two hands. It is advisable to use a flexible rubber wire in front of the number three in case the big hand goes past it more than one time per hour.

6 - Time Bomb Using an Alarm Clock:

[Drawing (with captions):]

Charge without a fuse (above) and battery (upper left).

The explosion takes place when the time is reached, the alarm goes off, and the two electric wires make contact.

7 - It is also possible to booby trap a car by connecting two wires from the battery. One of the blasting cap wires makes contact with the wire connected to the battery, and the other wire connects to the line and is also connected to-the fan. The wire connected to the battery does the same thing. When the ignition key is turned, the blade rotates, and the two sides connect, closing the circuit.

8 - There are very many things one could use in a very simple way to set a trap, like: shoes, bed etc.

UK/BM-152 TRANSLATION

Examples of Assassination Operations Using Explosives:

1 - Blowing up a building or motorcade using a car bomb, whereby the driver of the car loaded with explosives blows up his [illegible-possibly car].

An Actual Example:

Some of the brothers in Egypt tried to blow up the motorcade of the former Minister of the Interior’s vehicle (2 I B ) by putting 200 kilograms of TNT in a pick-up truck. When the minister’s car was seen, the brother approached in his car and blew up the car. However, it didn’t cause an explosion in the car, and it was confirmed afterward that the explosives didn’t go off because no catalyst was placed with the large quantity of explosives. The explosives ignited but they did not explode.

2 - Throwing one or more bombs into a group of enemy personnel or into the target’s car:

An Actual Example:

Personnel from the Covert Branch of the Muslim Brotherhood threw some bombs into [some] stores and bars.on the evening of January 7, 1947 at 11:00 pm.

3 - Blowing up a location or car with a time bomb.

Some Palestinians were able to place a time bomb inside an aircraft’s radio, and after the aircraft took off it blew up in the air.

It is also possible to explode a time bomb using the timer from a washing machine or any other device (a fan, etc.); at a specified time, the two wires make contact and the charge explodes.