NYC Subway Terror Plot May Threaten Holidays, Feds Warn

From the AP:

Police bolstered security in subways and trains Wednesday after the government warned that al-Qaida suicide bombers were contemplating an attack on New York's mass-transit systems during the holiday season. 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.

The internal bulletin says 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," according to the warning dated Tuesday.

A person briefed on the matter, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the intelligence-gathering work, said the threat may also be directed at the passenger rail lines running through New York, such as Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road, which are particularly busy with Thanksgiving holiday travelers.

A federal law enforcement official said there's no indication that anyone involved in the planning is in the United States. That official also spoke on condition of anonymity because it involved intelligence-gathering.

CBS New York has more details on the possible attacks:

Uniformed officers, including this NYPD Counter Terrorism Squad members and Amtrak cops with M-16s, flooded Penn Station Wednesday after the FBI said it had received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that Al Qaeda operatives discussed a plan two months ago to bomb New York City's mass transit system.

The report said: "These discussions reportedly involved the use of suicide bombers or explosives placed on subway/passenger rail systems."

Sources told CBS 2 HD the plot involved the Long Island Rail Road. If the explosion went off in Penn Station, the source said, it would affect transportation of Amtrak's northeast corridor between Boston and Washington, LIRR service and New York City subway service.

"This is definitely linked to Al Qaeda and they had very significant details about exactly how they would carry out the attack, where they would carry it out -- that's what makes it sound so plausible," Rep. King said.

The NYPD and Metropolitan Transportation Authority said they were on high alert and adding extra manpower.

Comments

[breccia]

Typically I think I'd agree with most of the comments here. I mean, it's really easy to say it's just another threat, that there's no real chance of it happening, why would they announce it, a waste of taxpayer money, etc etc. But right now my boyfriend is visiting his family in NYC and reading this headline made my heart stop for a second. I don't care how many time they've cried wolf in the past, not acting on something like this is a completely insane idea. It's easy to dismiss it right now but I can't imagine not acting on something and allowing even a slight chance of it happening to exist.

I'm sure it won't happen, but don't take it all so lightly.

[scotsense]

Great justification for more wasteful spending by the NYPD, there is as much chance of another attack happening on this soil as there is of aliens landing in central park.

[wadenelson1]

yes, BUT.

If you were in charge and did nothing it would be your job / your asz if something DID happen.

[MagisterLudi]

Tell this to citizens of London, Moscow, Madrid, Beslan, India, Bali... the list is endless.
Lemme guess, people like you, incapable of distinguishing between possible and probable, were saying this on Sept.10,2001.

[edgarallenpoe]

A lot of Americans have stopped listening to the annual Thanksgiving terrorist threat from DHS. They have little credibility left after so many previous empty threats. They threaten the American public more often than OBL does.

[dphilip]

It is time to bring back citizen militias and arm all New Yorkers. If any liberals refuse to take a gun because the say it's "icky" then don't push the issue. Seriously, if you were on a subway and were confronted with a terrorist attempting to trigger a bomb, if you had a weapon and the opportunity to shoot, wouldn't you want to be able to take that action and save lives?

[wadenelson1]

You gonna shoot every guy wearing a baggy coat who reaches into his pocket?

Oh, you mean its like in James Bond films, where he pulls the RED detonator out where everybody can see it and announces his intention to blow up the train?

How did America end up with so many adult children who think they personally can solve its problems with a handgun.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

Too many hours logged of watching Batman and Superman.

[WilliamBudd]

"Major "Meth Lab" drug bust in San Pedro, CA. "
Occupants of city block evacuated. Major throughfares shut down for hours, Bomb squad, Haz Mat and swat called in.
Why?
Toilet overflowed in an apartment occupied by a "scientist".
When the toilet overflow leaked to the garage below, the apartment was entered to determine the problem. The most volatile compound they found was acetone (nail polish remover). Still, a full on ati-terrorist, haz mat and bom squad team were called in.
Good luck to every loving soul in NY.

[sunzen]

Will, My next door neighbor threatened to kill himself to his wife. His wife called the police and they sent the entire swat team with an armored vehicle...shut down two mile stretch of our road...They made us leave the house and we could not return until 3am...and this is in Rural area in the Great Lakes region! I guess if we dont succeed killing ourselves they will make sure the job is done right. He was home a day later!!! Now that is crazy!

[Chaucea]

Bleh.

Brings a whole new meaning to, "'tis the season". :-(

[TooDarkMark]

All it takes is one dude who lived in Long Island to say they might have planned something and EVERYONE freaks out. Just AMAZING. I know the India stuff has people worried, but still. It's ONE FREAKIN GUY. Jeez.

I'll be taking the A train to my Mom's house tomorrow pretty damn sure nothings going to happen.

[NJmikeV]

What really bugs me is that all these red state "real Americans" hated New York and New Yorkers on 9/10.

[lisakaz2]

They still do imo.

[skunky93]

Here we go again...I can feel my PTSD kicking in...Meanwhile, there's the irony in the fact that NY will have to live in real fear while people who WOULD NEVER GET ATTACKED run around swearing that every tourist in town might be a terrorist.
I've lived in fear since the first attack on the World Trade Center when I was in high school. I support peace. That's what I support.
I lost a friend on 9/11.
I walked around through smoke and dust in a daze. I feel sick already.
dammit...i hate this. I hate knowing that i'm going to twitch every time I see anyone make a sudden movement on the train. I hate worrying myself sick over my family or children that I see taking the subway.
I hate living in fear.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

Well...we can a least take some comfort in knowing that Sarah Palin is back home, watching diligently for those pesky Russians sneaking over the border. All Quiet on the Northern Front!

[KC135Nav]

Quick, grab your wife, kids,in-laws and immediately start running screaming keep screaming. Run towards Tennessee lets go run run run ....

[keith2808]

Anyone who wants to inflict injury upon America now had better re-think their decision. The American people are in a whole different mindset now. After the 2001 attack everyone was shocked, horrified and temporarily paralyzed with fear. We're over that now.
Anyone who attacks us now will find out what Japan found out after Pearl Harbor and that is that they've "awakened a sleeping Giant and filled his heart fierce determination!"

[bostongreen]

lol, we LOST the war in Iraq. There's your sleeping giant for you. If we were attacked by, say China, right now, we would be crushed.

[slaxx]

oh come on people...is it such a crime that they let us know that these talks have taken place, and as a result the nypd has amped up security and people will have their eyes and ears open?

they're not asking us to run away in fear, they're just letting us in on infromation so people can be more aware. sheesh.

[AmandaBC]

"FBI has received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report"

Aliens are going to land on top of the UN building tomorrow.
Plausible but unsubstantiated.
In other words, pure BS...

[bubbuh]

Just remember "Klaatu barada nikto ." It'll be cool.

[instagladiator]

Fear-Fear-Fear!! Here we go again!!!!!!!!!!!

[JulieSA]

Joe Biden said there would be some sort of attack, somewhere, in the next few months.

[brooklyncitizen]

Sigh. They need to go the the south or those other red states that voted for Bush....leave us alone; we certainly didn't back this Iraq invasion.

[JulieSA]

We're all Americans, even though the thought probably disgusts you.

[brooklyncitizen]

No just hate mongering Republicans disgust me.