An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press says the FBI has received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that al-Qaida terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking the subway system.This is an ongoing theme with al Qaeda - and the Islamic terrorists in general. They have the hots for blowing up NYC targets, specifically subways and landmarks.
Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said the warning was issued as a routine matter, but added that there may be an increased police presence in New York and other large metropolitan areas.
The report indicates that al-Qaida terrorists "in late September may have discussed targeting transit systems in and around New York City. These discussions reportedly involved the use of suicide bombers or explosives placed on subway/passenger rail systems," according to the document.
"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.
Then again, al Qaeda and the Islamists have made Port Authority infrastructure their personal favorites, having struck at the World Trade Center twice (1993 and 2001), and threatened the PATH system in 2006 (first reported as a plot against the Holland Tunnel (another Port Authority operated facility). There's also the JFK bomb plot, which would have struck against the fuel tank farm and natural gas lines that run in and around the airport.
UPDATE:
ABC News points out that the threat appears to target the Long Island Rail Road, which is operated by the MTA and is based on a reliable source. They report that authorities have flooded Penn Station with more law enforcement officers.
Keep in mind that Penn Station is also terminus for NJ Transit and Amtrak. LIRR operates out of Penn Station, Jamaica in Queens, and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.
No comments:
Post a Comment