Warning: Al Qaeda Wants To Surgically Implant Bombs In Terrorists

CBS New York 07/06/2011 18:27

A new and insidious twist on terrorist suicide bombs has federal officials issuing new warnings to international and domestic airlines and stepping up security measures here and abroad.

In 2004 al Qaeda tried a shoe bomb to take down an airplane. Five years later their so-called “Christmas surprise” was an underwear bomb on a plane.

In both cases, they failed.

However, new intelligence indicates al Qaeda now wants to surgically implant bombs directly into a suicide bomber’s body, reports CBS 2′s Marcia Kramer.

“It’s definitely a change. It makes al Qaeda more lethal,” said Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

The Transportation Safety Administration is now warning international and domestic airlines traveling to the United States to be on the lookout for these new suicide bombers and to ramp up security.

“The U.S. government has received information, intelligence about terrorist intent to use this type of concealment and this technique to try to carry out plots to blow up planes,” TSA Director John Pistole said.

The agency said new measures will be taken including:

“Interaction with passengers, in addition to the use of other screening methods such as the pat-down and the use of enhanced tools and technologies,” said TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein.