Third attack feared in London
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, August 1, IRNA
London-Terrorist Alert
British police were on high alert again in London Monday amid fears that a third terrorist cell could be plotting another strike on the capital.
Thousands of armed officers were on the streets and rooftops and guarding underground and overland rail stations amid a huge security operation.
The Times newspaper Monday quoted security sources saying a third group, believed to be made up of British-born Muslims of Pakistani origins, was on the verge of staging an attack on the Tube system last week.
"They have links with the Leeds-based terrorist cell (in northern England) that staged the July 7 attacks, in which 52 innocent people died," it said. The 7/7 attacks are believed to have been carried out by four so-called suicide bombers, who were also killed.
Despite the arrest of five suspected bombers involved in the attacks on July 21, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Peter Clarke, who heads the anti-terrorist branch, warned "the threat remains and is very real."
A further seven suspects were taken into custody on Sunday during raids in the coastal resort of Brighton, some 80 kms south of London.
The arrests bring the running total of those being held to 19, including one suspect detained in Rome. It has also been reported that over 20 others have subsequently been released after being detained under anti-terror laws during the past month.
The Times revealed that there was concern among ministers and police at how long officers can continue such an intensive operation to "lock down" London while a threat remains.
Although reinforcements have been brought in and leave has been cancelled, resources were said to be stretched to keep up the guard on the capital, which is costing an extra Pnds 500,000 (Dlrs 830,000) a day.
HC/1430/1412
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