International News
See other International News Articles
Title: Osama bin Laden death: Intelligence reveals US rail threat from al-Qaida
Source:
guardian.co.uk
URL Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/201 ... en-intelligence-us-rail-threat
Published: May 5, 2011
Author: Paul Harris
Post Date: 2011-05-05 20:16:04 by Ferret Mike
Keywords: None
Views: 3807
Comments: 28
The first intelligence from the treasure trove of computers and hard drives found during the raid on Osama bin Laden's Pakistani hideaway has prompted a warning that al-Qaida wanted to attack the US rail network. The Department of Homeland Security sent a warning on Thursday to American law enforcement officials that material dating back to February 2010 had detailed an al-Qaida aspiration to derail trains in the US by damaging the rails at a valley or bridge so they would crash, the Associated Press and NBC news reported. Other material suggested a desire to attack mass transit hubs; a fact long known by terror experts. The idea was apparently at the "aspirational" stage and had not developed into anything concrete. The information appears to be the first widely circulated intelligence pulled from the 1 May raid on Bin Laden's secret compound. After killing Bin Laden, Navy Seals took computers, DVDs and documents from his house. Intelligence experts are combing through the material searching for any signs of current or future al-Qaida activity. Security officials in the Obama administration have repeatedly warned of the ongoing threat posed by al-Qaida in the wake of the death of its leader as well as the prospect that it could be plotting revenge attacks for his demise. One of the reasons behind the decision not to publish a photo of Bin Laden's body was the idea that it could provoke retaliation from Islamist militant sympathisers. But officials have also stressed that they have no knowledge of any specific imminent plot or threat. "We have no information of any imminent terrorist threat to the US rail sector, but wanted to make our partners aware of the alleged plotting. It is unclear if any further planning has been conducted since February of last year," said Matthew Chandler, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.
Pakistanis walk by the house where al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was killed. Information found at the scene has revealed a desire by al-Qaida to attack the US rail network. Photograph: Nathalie Bardou/AP
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 11.
#2. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
And here you lefties wanted high-speed rail . . .
I want high speed rail. I use Amtrak all the time. I'd love it if the trip to Portland from Eugene was much faster and efficient.
I ride acela between D.C. and NY many times a year, while it's not technically "high speed rail" I would always choose it over flying.
Here on the west coast passenger rail "shares" the tracks with freight trains, and always has to make way for them. That's why you can never tell how long a trip is going to take. I've had friends leave from Central California heading to Seattle arriving six hours late, missing their connection, then having to camp out in the station overnight. It's not something most people do again.
#19. To: Skip Intro (#11)
Acela is a reliable 2:45 between D.C. and NYC, and very comfortable.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#4. To: Rudgear (#2)
#10. To: Ferret Mike, skip intro, rudgear (#4)
I want high speed rail. I use Amtrak all the time. I'd love it if the trip to Portland from Eugene was much faster and efficient.
#11. To: go65 (#10)
I ride acela between D.C. and NY many times a year, while it's not technically "high speed rail" I would always choose it over flying.
Replies to Comment # 11. Here on the west coast passenger rail "shares" the tracks with freight trains, and always has to make way for them. That's why you can never tell how long a trip is going to take.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 11.
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]