'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.

[Chena]

I swear I had a conversation with my friend today and told her that I had such an ominous feeling these past two days that I couldn't hardly function. I'm not a tense and nervous person by any means, so my feelings had me reeling.

Does anyone know how close of a call this was? How did they thwart it? At the LAST minute?

[Semper911]

Liquid explosives, were to be used.

So who knows about chemicals enough to speculate on what liquids they may have been planning to use?

C'mon FReeper chemists, we know you are out there.

[rdl6989]

Methodists?

Naw, I'll betcha it was those Quakers again.

[DocRock]

Call in on FNC is saying they are concerned about passengers coming in and connecting through London, not only the flights leaving England.

[Cindy]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1230417,00.html

"Plane Terror Plot Thwarted
Updated: 06:48, Thursday August 10, 2006"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Police say they have disrupted a major plot to blow up planes in mid-flight with explosive devices smuggled aboard as hand luggage.

Sky News has been told the plan was to hit around a dozen planes over UK and US cities.

Police are said to have arrested 20 people in London - the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.

Passengers trying to board international flights from the UK are not being allowed to carry on hand luggage.

The Home Office's level of security - indicating public risk - has been raised from 'severe' to 'critical'.

Sky News' Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said he understood the threat was imminent and those arrested were mainly young, British-born Asian men.

He said the alleged plan involved people boarding flights and detonating explosives on planes over UK and US cities."

[GOP Poet]

bump for later

[NormsRevenge]

I agree, different gradients of fear may be applied, the end result is to foster uncertainty, maybe lull folks into complacency in some instances..

[GeorgeBerryman]

It wouldn't be news without a Fox News Alert. How lame of them to just broadcast the SkyNews coverage, rather than having an actual anchor and some reporters around to cover the news.

Hell, I hope they just keep it on Sky. Fox's reporters are all in the Middle East right now - heh. Seeing as how Sky's actually in country they most likely know more than Fox does at this point and are probably getting new information faster. And what's the fun in having a sister news network if ya can't tap into it from time to time? Heck, Sky probably tapped into FNC on 9/11. Heh!

[rivercat]

so 20 planes, but they've only captured 12 terrorists? Sounds like a few more are out there...possible the 8 Egyptians lost in the US?

[Chena]

AND, who knows where they planned on bringing the planes down?! 4,000 innocent people plus ????????

[Howlin]

Did you find the caller credible?

[Dallas59]

But...but...but....According to the Democrats, Liberals, Socialists and Moonbats...These people deserve to be blown up and the poor innocent "of Pakistani origin" persons who do this is because they are forced to do it...I don't understand.../s

[Mo1]

Does anyone know how close of a call this was?

Sky news is reporting they were very close to succeeding

[goodnesswins]

NOW they are saying a DOZEN PLANES?

[sofaman]

24-48 hours...this is becoming more and more frightening...

[hole_n_one]

How lame of them to just broadcast the SkyNews coverage,

I don't think any US news organization could possibly provide any better coverage with continual updates than what SkyNews is currently doing.

[nopardons]

And they are saying that they haven't caught them all, perhaps.

[onyx]

I had two phone calls and missed most of C2C. Paying attention now.

[afnamvet]

8/11?

[sofaman]

doug, it's shocking that we have to even ask the question about a US political party....