LONDON -- Twelve men suspected of plotting a terrorist attack were arrested in a series of dawn raids across Britain, police announced today.
The suspects, who range in age from 17 to 28, were detained by unarmed officers at 5 a.m. this morning on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the U.K., police said in a statement. The BBC cited counterterrorism sources saying the operation was linked to an investigation into al-Qaida-inspired terrorism.
This is a large-scale, pre-planned and intelligence-led operation involving several forces, said Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner John Yates, who is in charge of anti-terrorist policing. The operation is in its early stages, so we are unable to go into detail at this time about the suspected offenses. However, I believe it was necessary at this time to take action in order to ensure public safety.
The Metropolitan Police Service said five of the suspects were from the Welsh capital of Cardiff, four were from the central English city of Stoke-on-Trent, and three were from London, including the 17-year-old. The BBC reported that some of the suspects were from Bangladesh, while CNN cited a security source saying the men were all of Pakistani descent.
The arrests come after intelligence agencies in Europe, Pakistan and the U.S. received tips that Islamic terrorists were preparing to launch raids on European cities, similar in style to the 2008 attacks in Mumbai. That well-coordinated attack by Pakistani extremists left more than 170 people dead in India's financial capital.
However, both the BBC and CNN report that there is no suggestion that the men arrested today were plotting a similar attack. There is also no known link to a suicide bombing carried out in Sweden this month by Iraq-born Taimour Abdulwahab Al-Abdaly, 28, who is believed to have been radicalized while studying at a British university.
Britain's current terror threat level is severe, the second-highest stage on a five-level grading. This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, said Britain's Home Office.
Story link: http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/20/british-police-arrest-12-in-anti-terrorist-raids/
The suspects, who range in age from 17 to 28, were detained by unarmed officers at 5 a.m. this morning on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism in the U.K., police said in a statement. The BBC cited counterterrorism sources saying the operation was linked to an investigation into al-Qaida-inspired terrorism.
This is a large-scale, pre-planned and intelligence-led operation involving several forces, said Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner John Yates, who is in charge of anti-terrorist policing. The operation is in its early stages, so we are unable to go into detail at this time about the suspected offenses. However, I believe it was necessary at this time to take action in order to ensure public safety.
The Metropolitan Police Service said five of the suspects were from the Welsh capital of Cardiff, four were from the central English city of Stoke-on-Trent, and three were from London, including the 17-year-old. The BBC reported that some of the suspects were from Bangladesh, while CNN cited a security source saying the men were all of Pakistani descent.
The arrests come after intelligence agencies in Europe, Pakistan and the U.S. received tips that Islamic terrorists were preparing to launch raids on European cities, similar in style to the 2008 attacks in Mumbai. That well-coordinated attack by Pakistani extremists left more than 170 people dead in India's financial capital.
However, both the BBC and CNN report that there is no suggestion that the men arrested today were plotting a similar attack. There is also no known link to a suicide bombing carried out in Sweden this month by Iraq-born Taimour Abdulwahab Al-Abdaly, 28, who is believed to have been radicalized while studying at a British university.
Britain's current terror threat level is severe, the second-highest stage on a five-level grading. This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, said Britain's Home Office.
Story link: http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/20/british-police-arrest-12-in-anti-terrorist-raids/
