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

[MCpiano]

This is just Bush trying to scare everyone. Besides, Obama is the new president, so people will like us now. And I don't live in New York anyhow.

[spinns17]

lol

[LMT]

Didn't the McPalin campaign understand you have to issue these scare warnings BEFORE the election for them to be effective? Or did Miss Sarah just take this long to go out and "find ya some" terrorists "and bring 'em back to ya"?

[montemalone]

you betcha

[MCpiano]

Yes, it will be up to Obama now to protect us. No more blaming Bush for everything.

[jnah]

oh my god its my shadow!!!! don't people understand fearing terrorism is the point of terrorism in the first place.

[mcfried]

True but NY has been attacked more than once so we tend to take this stuff sort of seriously. Just saying. Fear is not required but preparation and vigilance is.

[ZimboChick]

lol so how do you plan to be ready? This is just alarmist. They should just do productive work and stop putting out these alarmist releases. They should spend more time on the terrorists trail now that they know them and they know when and where they will strike. Someone needs a KGB training. You do not just yell 'fire!' like Matilda just to get attention. People stop taking you seriously.

[shirleyfeeney]

agreed.

[Gladys1963]

Absolutely right, mcfried. Those of us here in the city need to be prepared but not fearful.

[spinns17]

"ALL WE HAVE TO FEAR ,IS FEAR ITSELF" A GREAT LEADER LOL

[humanist1]

How to decide?
Under what circumstances?
For what purpose?
Forget free speech?
Play the game?
On bended knee?
Shiver at the consequences?
Tell no one?
Speak in whispers?
Cover your connections?
Everyone is at risk?
Never be candid?
Stop all thought?
Over whose objection?
Reward the guilty?
See for yourself!

[Puzes]

Good one!

[sarahissohappy]

Thought you would all love this article on the top ten reasons Sarah Is SO Stupi-d!!

http://theliepolitic.com/2008/11/sarah-palins-top-ten-stupidest-moments/

[Opt1musPr1me]

During the campaigns, John McCain said he knew how to get Bin Laden and if elected he would get him. Has he shared this secret with Obama? I mean if he knows better than anyone else including those who dwell in the darkest corners of Langley, he should share it shouldn't he?

[LMT]

I think Mac should be jailed and "NON-tortured" by waterboarding until he spits out the information on how to catch Bin Laden.

[ZimboChick]

I second that

[BronxBorn]

I work in Manhattan. I avoid the Subway when I can and take surface transit when possible.
Now here is some real good advice if you're a New Yorker.

Get yourself at least a couple of chemical snaplights, and carry them with you always in your purse, book bag, WTF ever you use to haul your stuff around.

A six inch stick weighs less than an ounce and will give off a greenlight for about eight hours.

Home Depot on 23 st. was carrying them when I was there a couple weeks ago. they're cheap

BTW, I'm serious as a heart attack. You live here, do what I say.

[mcfried]

Water and power bars are also a good idea. If they have to stop the subway you could be stuck for hours.

[billbb]

The subway cars have battery lights, and have since the early 1900s. And there are evacuation exits built into the tunnels every few hundred yards.

Let's not get into panic mode, folks... That's exactly what the righties want, so they can get their way. Again.

As for Bin Laden, it wouldn't surprise me if he was on W's Christmas card list... He has done a number of large favors for Bush over the years - like keeping his sorry backside in office.

[Motorinstructor]

Busses may also be in their plans. Remember the Israeli bus bombings?

[BronxBorn]

Unlikely. Clearly you don't work / live here.

[bonofide]

I can`t help wondering if this is another ploy playing on the fears of Americans. I think it
was Bill Maher who said and I paraphrase that Americans always have to be afraid of
something. This seems to crop up more during the holidays than at any other time. You
can only cry 'wolf'' so many times you know.

[sociocanuck]

The announcement sure seems like a terror plot in and of itself.

[ZimboChick]

well said

[peaceplumber]

Were's BLACKWATER?

[billbb]

Helping OJ look for the "real killer?"

[ZenCrusader]

This news sure makes me regret not voting for McCain Palin = NOT.

[OutsiderSA]

I wonder if SP will suspend her campaign to address this issue?

[OutsiderSA]

I thought tourists were a good thing for teh USA?

Oh sorrrry - they spelled it worng....

[mcfried]

I guess when you don't live in a country you think it's okay to find humor in threats against its civilians. Funny you are not.

[OutsiderSA]

Been there done that, this is likely nothing more than poor intel.

This is nothing more than - warning, tomorrow the sun may rise in the east.

Sorry if you were offended but unlike some folk who live in a bubble - the whole world is at risk from ter.ror. Everyone has their village idiots, just sad that the USA has El-CIA-duh as theirs.

[ZimboChick]

Oh please! Everyone outside your country lives in 1000 x more danger. You guys just think you are the unique ones....oh wait I am watching news....are those police men in your subway lol what are they going to do??? Catch the bomb? Alarmists I say

[stressfreeliving]

Citizens. Respectfully, I would like to be addressed as a citizen and not civilian....

http://yourwikipediarevolution.blogspot.com

[iPolitics]

One day Sarah Palin will have an idea where the "real" Americans live

[candyperfumegirl]

Why do terrorists target public transit? Like seriously, people taking the train or the bus are not exactly the ones in power... it's just so absurd

[MagisterLudi]

It is not absurd, YOu just need to become educated on the subject.
The goal of terror is to terrorize the civilian populations. This is often goal in-it-self. The reasoning goes like this:" you're American, therefore you're guilty." Besides offing innocent civilians is easier that going for the hardened military targets.

[Babzter]

For example, we lost many of our rights and the administration went wild - doing whatever they wanted to do. The "turrists" consider that a good outcome.

[stressfreeliving]

Citizen here....

http://yourwikipediarevolution.blogspot.com

[ftprairiedog]

On point Candy, leave the inncoent people alone. Wish they would go after the scum bags in the Congress and Senate, they are the ones who got us into this mess.

[SteveStephens]

living in New York is self inflicted terror. That's why I don't.

[Grunty1]

Living in New York or voting for Bush?

[Jinxykb]

Go ahead and believe that if you want to; It's pretty crowded here anyway and we prefer to have the place all to our selves.

[ThatOne4Me]

So Steve, stop taking our taxes.

[spinns17]

hey oil is down .they just want people to start driving again,so that they can boot the price again.