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Al-Qaeda prepared for chemical, biological, nuclear attacks
Washington, June 03: Osama bin Laden`s al-Qaeda terror network is poised to unleash chemical, biological and even nuclear attacks, the US Central Intelligence Agency said.
Washington, June 03: Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network is poised to unleash chemical, biological and even nuclear attacks, the US Central Intelligence Agency said.
"Al-Qaeda and associated extremist groups have a wide
variety of potential agents and delivery means to choose from
for chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks,"
the CIA said in a report.
The report -- entitled "Terrorist CBRN: materials and effects," referring to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons -- noted that several groups associated with al-Qaeda have tried to carry out attacks in Europe "with easily produced chemicals and toxins best suited to assassination and small-scale scenarios."
It said that radiological dispersal devices, or so-called "dirty bombs," are also within reach of al-Qaeda because the components are fairly easy to acquire.
And it added that a review of an al-Qaeda document found in Afghanistan last summer "indicates the group has crude procedures for making mustard agent, Sarin and VX."
It said al-Qaeda's goal is to use these weapons "to cause mass casualties," but it added that "most attacks by the group -- and especially by associated extremists -- probably will be small scale, incorporating relatively crude delivery means and easily produced or obtained chemicals, toxins or radiological substances."
Still, the CIA warned in the report that "most scenarios could cause panic and disruption."
The report -- entitled "Terrorist CBRN: materials and effects," referring to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons -- noted that several groups associated with al-Qaeda have tried to carry out attacks in Europe "with easily produced chemicals and toxins best suited to assassination and small-scale scenarios."
It said that radiological dispersal devices, or so-called "dirty bombs," are also within reach of al-Qaeda because the components are fairly easy to acquire.
And it added that a review of an al-Qaeda document found in Afghanistan last summer "indicates the group has crude procedures for making mustard agent, Sarin and VX."
It said al-Qaeda's goal is to use these weapons "to cause mass casualties," but it added that "most attacks by the group -- and especially by associated extremists -- probably will be small scale, incorporating relatively crude delivery means and easily produced or obtained chemicals, toxins or radiological substances."
Still, the CIA warned in the report that "most scenarios could cause panic and disruption."
Bureau Report