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

[chaos4700]

Gee, just in time for the formation of the Democratic administration that will be picking up after Bush. What a startling development. Well, I suppose they can't play up gas prices or economic stability anymore, since both are already in the septic tank, so I suppose they're playing the only tune they still have to play in this tired, bankrupt Bush administration.

[ZenCrusader]

perhaps your cynicism is now misplaced ? old habits are hard to break.

[mcfried]

As a New Yorker I guess I am used to this and as always people will be more vigilant. The only thing that makes me feel uneasy about these threats is seeing the special police with the automatic weapons that are deployed for security. I'm not sure what it is but it makes me feel like I'm in a police state which is irrational since I should feel safer knowing that they are around.

[chaos4700]

Really? You think you should feel safer having a man standing there, looking in every shadow for a enemy who may not even be there, with enough firepower to street-sweep the whole crowd that's waiting to board the 7:15?

Extra police and extra vigiliance is one thing... ridiculous amounts of firepower are another. What the hell difference is an automatic weapon going to make if someone's carting around a bomb hidden in a backpack or a purse or a briefcase?

[mcfried]

Get a grip - what's wrong with you ? Do you need to pick an argument about everything. Obviously it is meant to elicit confidence, the fact that it doesn't in me was my point. It's pretty obvious that a visible police presence is seen as a deterent. Good grief take a pill.

[Nommo]

Fret not. Since when have the police ever shot anyone who wasn't entirely deserving?

[mcfried]

LOL - aint that the truth.

[Grunty1]

Maybe once we have a real president instead of a tinpot dictator, you'll be able to feel differently.

[mcfried]

Doubtful. If you think the fundamentalist loons are going to lay down their weapons and give up or we are going to respond to these threats differently in the next couple of months you are a bigger optimist than I am.

[MMJones]

Europe has had this armed presence in public places for many years. We're not immune to the danger anymore. After a while, while it is saddening, it has become reassuring to me.

[zizyphus]

No, you are rational, and right- we are in a police state now. After 911 the security business took off big time, helping conceal the fact that we are sliding into a depression. In California, 19 prisons were built in the past two decades or so to one university. Imprisoning the poor is big business, as is terrorizing the masses.

In my hometown newspaper there are very few jobs, mostly security guard jobs. We are supposed to feel safer seeing guards posted at every store, library, school, and public building. Safety is the ultimate illusion, one that can be played upon over and over. How about guarding our freedom of speech, or habeas corpus?

[theone718]

Dude I take the train every day and this news is very......­..........­...disturb­ing.

[Jinxykb]

The bus is nice.

[Gladys1963]

Me, too, theone718--I have to take the train every day. Who needs news like this--we have enough to deal with in NYC. But I guess better know about it than not.

[Wilsonfisk89]

I dont think this is funny in any way. I dont think it's fear mongering either. If such a threat were to be carried out, it would be devastating. My girlfriend is on that subway multiple times daily, and I often am as well. I'll be on it over a week stretch over the holidays. Honestly, be vigilant.

[Moshe]

Guess everyone is looking a little too closely at the looting of the U.S. treasury . . . I mean the bailout.

So time to distract the sheep again.

Olberman did a review of the correlation between the color coded alerts and political events. Fascinating to say the least.

Of course we all hope and pray for the safety of all persons, and these concerns are our highest priority.

But you might want to read Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine."

Security concerns are real, but the way this issue is sometimes manipulated by unscrupulous people as distraction and leverage is sometimes not real at all. It's an immoral game of smoke and mirrors.

[Chazz27]

Moshe, I think you summed it up very nicely. Frankly, my first thought was this is a distraction which is what they are good at.

[Babzter]

Those dummies -- don't they know that they're 4 weeks late? Election over.

[cobra7]

I have to agree with you. I for one am tired of this lameduck administration's attempt to get one more jab in to scare us to death. Just remember that for the last 8 years we have been given an alert on every holiday and nothing has happened. I think that Obama might have to replace some of the people in his intelligence apparatus so that we can end this game of fear that has been perpetrated on the American people.

[MontereyJack]

send in Sarah Palin and a combat turkey to protect us.

[nokoolaid01]

Enough with the Palin jokes. you're about as funny as letterman the other night. You should have your own half hour slot on AMESSNBC. The woman is out of your hair, get out of hers. Attack her again in 2012 when she becomes the nominee.

[OutsiderSA]

Someone trashing Yo pinup babe?

[Chazz27]

I thought it was pretty funny.....

[ivyalice]

Finally someone has something intelligent to say on the HP. I have never read so many posts from people who couldn't articulate "Mary had a little lamb." This is whithout a doubt the most mean spirited site on any of the blogs.
I guess when you have a group of Kool-Aide drinkers, who can't think for themselves, this is the end result. A combat turkey???? Yes, very smart.

[NextYearLions]

I was getting concerned until I saw that breaking news this morning on MSNBC. We haven't had one of these terror threats in a while. So does this mean we should be highly aware about a threat that probably won't take place?

[harriscrl3]

As a New Yorker who rides the subway daily you just have to get use to this stuff every year. What I find unnerving is police many walking around with their long guns. It makes you feel like you are living in a police state

Carol

[Nommo]

And not a side of a barn in sight.

[mcfried]

Wow, I just wrote the same thing. I should have just read your comment instead. I couldn't agree more. There is a staging area for drills outside my apartment building that they use on a regular basis and even though I know they are just practicing deployments it freaks me out every time.

[Lilybart]

If they do something, it means they had one good idea (planes as bombs) and that's it. the reason there have been no attacks is that if they do something smaller than 9/11, they look weak.

Anyone can bomb the subway, so that isn't much of an accomplishment.

[liberation4life]

I got off the subway system 2 hours ago..will be on them again in another 3 hours..I just don't wanna spend Thanksgiving holed up in my office.

[spinns17]

im not worried bush has our back lol.

[Grunty1]

That is what should worry you the MOST.

[Girlforaction]

I take that subway everyday. I am just going to have to pray for the best.

[olephart]

The election was 3 weeks ago, they should check their e-mails more often.

[hindy]

Just when the news couldn't get any worse - or could it? Hang in there America! It'll be a tough ride (not just on the subway) for the next year or two. But you'll come out of it better than ever - I hope!!! Poor Obama! He'll have his hands full. Don't be too hard on him. He's dancing as fast as he can. Give him a break and let him do his horrific job. Don't expect miracles. He's only human!

[ZimboChick]

Poor Obama! He'll have his hands full. Don't be too hard on him. He's dancing as fast as he can. Give him a break and let him do his horrific job

hmmmm

[Nommo]

In the meantime, as the MTA plots the destruction of NY's rapid transit system, they cleverly insert Al Quida into the public eye...