WASHINGTON, July 6, (Agencies): The US government has warned domestic and international airlines that some terrorists are considering surgically implanting explosives into humans to carry out attacks, The Associated Press has learned.
There is no intelligence pointing to a specific plot, but the US shared its concerns last week with executives at domestic and international carriers.
People traveling to the US from overseas may experience additional screening at airports because of the threat, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
“These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same activity at every international airport,” TSA spokesman Nick Kimball said. “Measures may include interaction with passengers, in addition to the use of other screening methods such as pat-downs and the use of enhanced tools and technologies.”
Placing explosives and explosive components inside humans to hide bombs and evade security measures is not a new idea. But there is new intelligence pointing to a fresh interest in using this tactic, a US security official told the AP. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security information.
When the US government receives information suggesting terror tactics that could threaten commercial aviation, the TSA alerts companies domestically and abroad. Last December, the US received intelligence that al-Qaeda’s Yemen branch was considering hiding explosives inside insulated beverage containers to carry them on airplanes. That warning was shared with domestic and foreign airlines so that security could be on the lookout, even though there was no specific plot.
Airport security has increased markedly since the Sept 11, 2001, terror attacks. But terrorists remain interested in attacking aviation and continue to adapt to the new security measures by trying to develop ways to circumvent them.
“The Department of Homeland Security has identified a potential threat from terrorists who may be considering surgically implanting explosives or explosive components in humans to conduct terrorist attacks,” the advisory to foreign counterparts said, according to the US security official.
Such a threat is likely to come from overseas rather than domestically, but precautions were being taken on both sides, the official said on condition of anonymity.
US authorities have been on high alert after American forces killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May, ramping up security at airports, government buildings and other facilities in case of a retaliatory strike.
The official declined to say whether the new intelligence came from documents collected at the compound in Pakistan where bin Laden was found and killed.
The possibility of a suicide bomber attacking with explosives implanted in the person’s body has long been a concern for authorities — and a difficult threat to detect.
Attacks in the past have involved explosives packed in luggage, shoes, clothing or other items.
A Nigerian man was arrested in December 2009 and has been accused of trying to ignite a bomb hidden in his underwear aboard a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. In October, toner cartridges packed with explosives were sent aboard US-bound cargo planes but were intercepted and defused overseas before they exploded.