Wednesday, November 26, 2008

NYC Subway Terror Threat

Just in time for the holidays. Again. Americans may be getting complacent but shouldn't. Stay safe, stay vigilant. Fox says the info came from a "walk-in" who sat in on the meeting when the threat was discussed by Al Qaida:

From Fox News

FBI Warns of Possible Terror Plot Against New York City Subway During Holidays

Federal authorities are warning of a possible Al Qaeda-orchestrated terror plot against New York City subway and other transit systems during the holidays, FOX News has confirmed.
The potential threat, described in an internal
FBI memo as "plausible but unsubstantiated," does not extend beyond the New York City area, sources told FOX News. But commuters could see security tighten across the country.
The FBI and the Department of
Homeland Security issued a joint bulletin late Tuesday night to local and state law enforcement authorities about the possible plot, a homeland security official told FOX.
The report states that in late September,
Al Qaeda may have talked about attacking transit systems in and around New York City during the holiday season.
"These discussions reportedly involved the use of suicide bombers or explosives placed on subway/passenger rail systems," the bulletin says.
The FBI said it had no indication that any such plot was beyond the very earliest stages of planning.
" We have no specific details to confirm that this plot has developed beyond aspirational planning, but we are issuing this warning out of concern that such an attack could possibly be conducted during the forthcoming holiday season," states the warning, which is dated Tuesday.

While federal agencies regularly issue all sorts of advisory warnings, the language of this one is particularly blunt.
Intelligence and homeland security officials are working with local authorities to try to corroborate the information "and will continue to investigate every possible lead," the memo says.


UPDATE: here's ABC's version on it, courtesy Jihad Watch:

Happy Thanksgiving. "Exclusive: NY Rail Plot Details Based on 'Reliable' FBI Source," by Richard Esposito for ABC News, November 26 (thanks to Jeffrey Imm):
Uniformed police officers have flooded New York City's Penn Station, home to the Long Island Rail Road, following a warning from the FBI of a "plausible but unsubstantiated" threat of a terrorist bomb attack against the system during the holidays.
Law enforcement officials tell ABCNews.com, the plot involved a "Madrid-like attack," a reference to the synchronized bombing of the commuter rail system in Spain in March 2004 that killed 191 people.
Following the public release of the warning by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, officials in Washington made efforts to dampen public concern.
"There is nothing concrete to suggest this plot ever went beyond the aspirational or talking stage," said a U.S. official familiar with the intelligence that led to the warning.
Law enforcement officials told ABCNews.com the information was based on an FBI source who has proved "reliable and knowledgeable in the past."
Officials told ABCNews.com unspecified new information in the last 48 hours led to the public warning "out of an abundance of caution."
Congressman Peter King (R-NY), the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, told the Associated Press "authorities have very real specifics as to who it is and where the conversation took place and who conducted it."...



4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Planning to make the LIRR and Penn Station into a genuine disaster area, are they? With what's going on in Mumbai and remembering AQ's latest threats I'd say better safe and swarming with cops than sorry. Actually, the worst place and time to set off subway bombs would be tomorrow morning along the lines that run north from Herald Square and along 8th Ave. because that is near or right under the parade route. That would also result in guaranteed rage from the New Yorkers at least. Penn Station would be a calamity, but Don't Fuck With the Macy's Parade, jihadweebies. You'll wish you hadn't.

Anyway, I am out of here to go spend the holidays out in Concord. We said to hell with the turkey this year so it's going to be a traditional shore dinner this time around. Anyone want me to pardon a lobster?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Pastorius said...

Happy Thanksgiving, RRA.

Anonymous said...

Ruh roe, time to install the clearly marked bags of porcine plasma in all the train cars and drag out the testicle chomping, semi-wild boars again.

Brrrr, those creatures give me the willies every time I see one.

midnight rider said...

RRA's right, especially with the timing. Imagine what Thanksgiving Day attacks would do not only in immediate horrific damage to life and limb but to the economy by keeping people home from shopping on Black Friday, and what all that would do to the already fragile markets. Their timing could not be better/worse.

Off to Philly to bring daughter #1 home for the holiday. Hope to check in later.

Either way hope you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.