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Al-Qaeda's New Security Threat: Bombs Inside Bombers

Recent Saudi assassination attempt used security-proof technique

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 30, 2009 5:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Al-Qaeda debuted a new suicide bomb technique in an attempt on the life of Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef this month—one that could raise serious concerns about airport security. The bomber convinced Nayef that he wished to surrender and provide intelligence on his former comrades. Though he was searched thoroughly, security agents found nothing—because, in a trick adapted from drug smuggling, the bomber had a pound of explosives and a detonator inside his rectum, reports CBS News.

The bomb likely detonated with a text message from an outside agent. Physical limitations mean the explosion from a bomb inside a body cavity will be smaller than from a vest—hence the failure to kill Nayaf—but aboard a plane in-flight, the results would be devastating. Al-Qaeda plans to share the technique on the Internet, and there's no way to fight it “other than to require people to strip naked at the airport,” says an aviation security expert.

Pakistani workers clear the rubble at the site of Saturday's suicide bombing at a police station in Bannu, Pakistan on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009.
Pakistani workers clear the rubble at the site of Saturday's suicide bombing at a police station in Bannu, Pakistan on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ijaz Mohammad)
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, reviews Saudi special forces.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, reviews Saudi special forces.   (AP Photo/Issa Mohammad)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
Spudsy
Oct 1, 2009 12:25 PM CDT
Good luck with that. The islamic leader the FBI tried to use when investigating that Zazi nut in NYC tipped off the plotters. And he was one we thought was a moderate.
Spudsy
Oct 1, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
A religious fundy could do this and not feel a thing. His brain would be the first thing to go.
Robert_Dada
Oct 1, 2009 12:10 PM CDT
Talk about explosive diarrhea.

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