Bomb scare as 'sinister' packages found on planes bound for US

[Jungibaaz]

Bomb scare as 'sinister' packages found on planes bound for US

Suspicious devices found in East Midlands and Dubai as US officials check others on suspected 'dry runs'

A major security alert is triggered in the UK, US and Middle East tonight after "sinister" packages were discovered on board two cargo planes after they landed in the Midlands and Dubai.

Barack Obama said both packages contained apparent explosive material and described them as a "credible terrorist threat".

The plane that landed in the UK had begun its journey in Yemen and was bound for the US.

Speaking at the White House, Obama said Yemen's president had pledged to cooperate in the investigation amid concerns that a militant group called al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is behind the incident.

The president said that an initial examination determined that the packages "do apparently contain explosive material".

"We will continue to pursue additional protective measures for as long as it takes to ensure the safety and security of our citizens," he added. "I have also directed that we spare no effort in investigating the origins of these suspicious packages and their connection to any terrorist plotting.

"Although we are still pursuing all the facts, we do know that the packages originated in Yemen. We also know that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, a terrorist group based in Yemen, continues to plan attacks against our homeland, our citizens and our friends and allies."

American authorities were carrying out checks at several locations, including airports, as security officials sought to determine whether al-Qaida-inspired terrorists had found new vulnerability in western security. As the investigation continued, the US government announced it would enact new aviation security measures. Obama said both packages had been addressed to Jewish organisations in the Chicago area.

The plane that landed in the UK was operated by the parcel company UPS. It had taken off from Yemen, and was due to fly to two locations in the US. It made a routine stop at East Midlands airport at 3.30am on Friday morning and, sources say, intelligence reports led it to be subjected to extra searches.

A first search by police and military bomb experts failed to find anything suspicious, but a decision to declare the all-clear was reversed.

Further searches led to a "sinister" package being discovered, which was sent away for scientific examination, as were several other items causing concern.

Bomb scare as 'sinister' packages found on planes bound for US

 

[Donatello]

It was found on UPS, a US based company.

Now if UPS is shipping bombs (As in without knowing what they are shipping), then Al-Qaeda is not responsible, or is it?

 

[Alphatech]

Finally.....a major recent news article about a terrorist attack in the US that does not seem to have anything to do with Pakistan.......Our Pakistani friends can now say "See...it's not just us".

Thankfully, Bush is not in charge, or he would have declared war on Yemen by now...I think they have oil deposits....

 

[siegecrossbow]

Good thing that the packages didn't go off and no one was hurt. I could care less about the perpetrators.

 

[Alphatech]

It was found on UPS, a US based company.

Now if UPS is shipping bombs (As in without knowing what they are shipping), then Al-Qaeda is not responsible, or is it?

If someone poisons your food and you eat it with your own hands, I guess we should take it as suicide and let your killer go....

 

[SMC]

Nearly no Indians showing any interest in this development, compared to some of the other similar stories that they showed interest in. But then again, they didn't show a whole lot interest in the story about the guy attempting to blow up the plane on Christmas last year in Detroit. Why are they being selective in their interest? What's the difference in this story and the Christmas one, and say, the Times square one? All seemed to be serious threats.

 

[Von Hölle]

^^ One reason could be it is 4 in the morning in India..not many Indians around.

 

[SMC]

Come on man, not all Indians on this forum live in India. Plus the incident is over a day old now, and normally in that time at least a 100 replies would be a reasonable expectation had this been the day when the Times Square attempt took place.

 

[StingRoy]

@SMC... don't compare this incident to the Times Square one. In the Times Square incident, the bomb was actually triggered in a populated area. In this case the plot was busted. Even the incident of the Pakistani man caught in Virginia a couple days ago by the FBI didn't draw much discussion in this forum.

Last I heard on the news they have arrested two Yemeni women and we are waiting to see some more connections come up. It is a developing news still and many details are coming out. Clearly this was targeted towards the Jews and could very well be traced back to Palestine militants operating from Yemen.

 

[SMC]

The topic about the guy in Virginia actually generated a lot of interests from the neighbours.

http://www.defence.pk/forums/u-s-fo...nother-idiot-caught-planning-bomb-subway.html

That's one topic on it, there were a couple others on it as well. Note the number of deleted posts from neighbours, probably over 100 in numbers.

And that event was actually even lower key than this one because this one was stopped just before it happened, and no such thing happened in that case. The western media is covering it with nearly the same intensity, but not the neighbours.

And this one is comparable to the Times square one because this one was just about to explode in a Jewish center. The western media is covering it with the same intensity (maybe even more, in fact) but not the neighbours. What is leading to the indifference to this incident? Why is this one less interesting than the Times Square one?

 

[StingRoy]

The topic about the guy in Virginia actually generated a lot of interests from the neighbours.

That's one topic on it, there were a couple others on it as well. Note the number of deleted posts from neighbours, probably over 100 in numbers.

Most were trolls (inflamatory and personal attacks) and few posts on topic. And of course there would be more discussion because it was linked to Pakistan (in some way).

And that event was actually even lower key than this one because this one was stopped just before it happened, and no such thing happened in that case. The western media is covering it with nearly the same intensity, but not the neighbours.

If you are pointing to Indian media, then here is a link(sure there are more).
The Hindu : News / International : Cargo bomb plot: Woman held in Yemen

And this one is comparable to the Times square one because this one was just about to explode in a Jewish center. The western media is covering it with the same intensity (maybe even more, in fact) but not the neighbours. What is leading to the indifference to this incident? Why is this one less interesting than the Times Square one?

The "printer bomb" (as they are saying), was caught in transit and not "about to explode" as you are saying. The Times Square one did actually go off, but didn't explode. It was a more severe threat to cause wide spread casualties in the Times Square.

Why do you think it is less interesting?

 

[Donatello]

If someone poisons your food and you eat it with your own hands, I guess we should take it as suicide and let your killer go....

That is a very retarded analogy.

United States places the civilian passengers on a watch list every year, since 9/11.

Countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, KSA, Sudan appear on it and go. Including Pakistan. They search the passengers, increased screening.

On the other hand they don't want to screen packages coming from the same countries that their State Department considers a threat?


That is, failed foreign policy.


You want to search Passenger jets and passengers but not FedEx and UPS, when you know that at their respective departure airports, passengers planes are more thoroughly screened than FedEX or UPS stations.


If FedEX or UPS can or do manage to transport such lethal items, next thing you know they are transporting guns and drugs. So i would say under the international laws, they will be HELD LIABLE for any terrorist attack.

THEY CANNOT, UNDER ANY JURISDICTION, SAY OH WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WE WERE TRANSPORTING SO WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE.

 

[SMC]

Most were trolls (inflamatory and personal attacks) and few posts on topic. And of course there would be more discussion because it was linked to Pakistan (in some way).

But most of the posts were from Indians. And to Indians, it shouldn't matter whether it was from Pakistan or Yemen since they are neutral to both countries.

If you are pointing to Indian media, then here is a link(sure there are more).
The Hindu : News / International : Cargo bomb plot: Woman held in Yemen

Not Indian media in particular but Indians on the internet. Though Indian media also probably went over the Times Square incident more rigorously.

The "printer bomb" (as they are saying), was caught in transit and not "about to explode" as you are saying. The Times Square one did actually go off, but didn't explode. It was a more severe threat to cause wide spread casualties in the Times Square.

Why do you think it is less interesting?

Right, it was caught in transit and would most likely explode when it reached its destination. The times square threat was probably slightly more serious, but not by much. The western media coverage for this incident seems to be even higher than the times square one, which obviously shows that this belongs in the same category as the times square one. To make it more simple, the difference between the two incidents is not that significant so as to prompt such a significant difference in the interest from the Indians.

 

[eric_cartman]

It's bad everything is being pointed out to Yemen and more specifically to a tribe related to extremist preacher, I hope they(tht tribe) won't be bombed by drones and some peaceful way would be found out!

 

[StingRoy]

But most of the posts were from Indians. And to Indians, it shouldn't matter whether it was from Pakistan or Yemen since they are neutral to both countries.
...
To make it more simple, the difference between the two incidents is not that significant so as to prompt such a significant difference in the interest from the Indians.

You think we will have a good debate (counter arguments) if there is no one to backup for the Yemenis; compared to other incidents where Pakistanis were involved. It is very obvious from the nature of the involvement and I have a feeling this will be eventually linked to the Palestinian militants.
Btw..Its the weekend... give them a break.