Plot to Simultaneously Blow Up Several UK to US Flights Foiled by British Police

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By Tracy Stokes, BET.com Staff Writer & Wire Services

Posted Aug. 10, 2006 – A major terrorist attack, planned by at least 21 people who had plotted to blow up planes flying from Britain to the United States with devices smuggled on board as hand luggage, has been brought to a halt by British police.

When authorities discovered what was going on, commercial flight threat levels in both Britain and the United States were raised.

For the first time, the red alert level, which means a "severe risk of terrorist attacks, was put in action. In addition to the red alert for flights from Britain, the alert for all flights coming or going from the United States was raised to the high, or orange, threat level "to defend further against any remaining threat from this plot," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said.

The plot, according to Home Secretary John Reid, was designed to "bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life."

Flights bound for Britain were cancelled and most outgoing flights were delayed or cancelled, and tough new security measures were imposed on passengers. Travelers were warned that they could not take any hand luggage on board flights.

The government banned beverages, hair gels and lotions from flights, explaining only liquids were seen as a risk from an investigation in Britain, ABC News reported.

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

Multiple flights to several U.S. cities also were put on alert, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said.

"We believe that these arrests (in London) have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted," Chertoff said, adding that "currently, there is no indication ... of plotting within the United States."

http://www.bet.com/News/terrorplotairplane...77E4249C5FB7%7D

From http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...006297,00.html:

A U.S. intelligence official said the plotters had hoped to target flights to major airports in New York, Washington and California, all major summer tourist destinations.

The suspects were ``homegrown,'' though it was not immediately clear if they were all British citizens, said a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case. Police were working closely with the South Asian community, the official said.

Oops I didn't see JPs thread..even though I did a search. Sorry.