Alleged Plot to blow up aircraft thwarted

Armed police walk through crowds of people at Gatwick airport. Photograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Plot to blow up aircraft thwarted

It is believed the intention was to set off near simultaneous blasts on flights, probably bound for the US, using explosives smuggled into passenger cabins inside hand luggage.

Reports citing official sources said the apparent idea was to use a
liquid-based explosive, and there were suggestions one explosive
component was to have been hidden in bottles of fizzy drink.

Police
were holding 21 people in custody in London following overnight raids
by anti-terror officers and MI5. A decision was made to move suddenly
following months of surveillance.

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Heathrow officials said all milk for babies would have to be tasted by an "accompanying passenger".

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The focus of the long investigation had been on the "meetings,
movement, travel pending and the aspirations of a large group of
people", and the alleged plot had "global dimensions", he said.

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Mr Chertoff said the plotters had "planned to carry the components of
the bombs disguised as beverages, electronic devices or other common
objects". Components could then be mixed on board to create explosives,
he said.

....All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all items
they are carrying x-ray screened. Laptop computers, mobile phones and
iPods are among the items banned from being carried on board.

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