Police have foiled a major plot to "commit mass murder on an unimaginable scale'' by destroying as many as 10 passenger jets in mid-air.
The targets were flights leaving UK airports to the United States.
Anti-terror police arrested 21 people in London, the Thames Valley and Birmingham as stringent new security measures were imposed on all UK airports.
A ban on hand luggage along with other checks and precautions led to chaos at airports where scores of flights were cancelled and massive queues built up.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson said the plot was designed to cause "untold death and destruction''.
He added: "This was intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale.''
Searches were on-going at a number of addresses, he added. Sources indicated that the majority if not all of those arrested were British.
Home Secretary John Reid said the plot represented "a major threat to the UK and international partners''.
He said that the terrorists planned to "bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life''.
The official UK terror threat state was raised to "critical" - its highest level - as travellers were urged not to attempt to catch flights unless it was essential.
Among the measures introduced at airports were specific restrictions on taking liquids on board, prompting speculation that the terrorists were planning to smuggle liquid explosive devices on to jets.
It is believed the covert investigation had been going on for several months and it is understood that officers made the arrests not because they feared an attack was likely to happen immediately but for other intelligence reasons, which meant they had to act quickly.
The Department for Transport said it was hoped that the extra security measures would be needed "for a limited period only''.
Downing Street said the anti-terror operation had been undertaken "with the full support'' of Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is on holiday in the Caribbean.
He had been "in constant contact'' with the situation in the UK and had briefed US President George Bush, a spokesman said.
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I expected something like this to occur sooner or later, just glad the plot was foiled before it could be executed. Israeli and American embassies around the world are on high alert I'm sure, but I expect terrorists to target these buildings.
The British are feeling concerned in relation to today's events and have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved'. Soon though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross". Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out.
Terrorists have been re-categorised from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance". The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of London in 1666.
Also, the French government announced that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide". The only two higher levels in France are "Surrender" and "Collaborate". The rise was precipitated by a recent fire in Toulouse caused by rioters that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
It's not only the English and French that are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "shout loudly and excitedly" to "elaborate military posturing". Two more levels remain, "ineffective combat operations" and "change sides".
The Germans also increased their alert state from "disdainful arrogance" to "dress in uniform and sing marching songs". They have two higher levels: "invade a neighbour" and "lose".
Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without any proof
can i just ask, if the police have arrested the supposed terrorists, and taken the threat of this attack away, then how come the terror alert level has been raised. surely it should be increased. damn government trying to scare people.
I don't get you ? Where did I mention the word "Muslim" ? I also presume, it were terrorists.
just clarifying and putting a point across that terrorists dont = muslims. not at you but other members who may have thought so ...
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
can i just ask, if the police have arrested the supposed terrorists, and taken the threat of this attack away, then how come the terror alert level has been raised. surely it should be increased. damn government trying to scare people.
grrr!!
Rabi'ya:rose:
Because they said there are more peopple in the ring they are looking for.
can i just ask, if the police have arrested the supposed terrorists, and taken the threat of this attack away, then how come the terror alert level has been raised. surely it should be increased. damn government trying to scare people.
I think the police think they maybe a backup plan or something if it went wrong (which it did) also they are concerned that they haven’t caught them all, so as to prevent the one that got away from following out his mission there keeping the alert on high.
Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without any proof
I just saw an interesting article on BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4781925.stm
The ***ociated Press news agency quoted an unnamed Pakistani official as saying "two or three local people" suspected in the plot were arrested in Karachi and Lahore.
AP also quoted an unnamed Pakistani intelligence official as saying said an Islamic militant arrested near the Afghan-Pakistan border several weeks ago helped in "unearthing the plot".
I read this, and being used to flying abroad, this seems like a big setup/fake story. I don't believe people would be able to do this to begin with - take considerable explosives on a plane - As the checks are too severe.
Its another story - To terror the people - TO gain support for there worldy affairs - This one seems to be to cover up a bit of Lebanon or future wars.
Stating "conspiracy theories" is just ignorant - It is my opinion - and after alot of research of many facts and documents - its far more plausible, then say what you see on the media that a man from a cave blew up 2 towers.
[S] totally agree with you brother [/S]
All of them worship out of fear of fire
and consider deliverance abundant good fortune
or so they may dwell in the gardens , and reach to the meadows of paradise and there drink from its rivers
of gardens or fire i have no opinion
I seek no exchange for my Dearest Love
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