A plot chillingly reminiscent of 9/11 was foiled in Britain earlier this week when police arrested 24 suspects who were plotting to blow up at least 10 transatlantic aircraft. The suspects reportedly were within days of launching simultaneous attacks on aircraft flying from Britain to the United States. Those arrested were British Muslims ranging in age from 17 to 35, including at least two women. Another seven suspects were arrested in Pakistan, which provided valuable assistance in thwarting the plot.
Police report the terrorist plan was to blow up the planes using suicide bombers armed with chemical bombs smuggled on board disguised as drinks. Although officials have declined to discuss whatever technology the thwarted plot uncovered, one scenario is that multiple terrorists would board a plane, each armed with one element of a bomb, which by itself would be innocuous. During the flight, the terrorists would manage to gather the products, mix them together to cause a volatile product, and detonate that mix using a cellular telephone or other electronic device.
The incident created chaos at airports in Britain and the United States, flights were delayed or cancelled and tough new security measures were immediately put into place. Passengers were prohibited from carrying onto airplanes any liquid or gel-based products, including most toiletries. Governors in Massachusetts, California and New York sent the National Guard to airports to help with passenger screening. The U.S. government raised the threat alert to its highest level ever – red – for flights from the U.K. to the United States amid fears that all those terrorists involved in the plot had not been caught.
By Friday, passengers were already familiar with the drill and the situation eased, although the threat level remained elevated.
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