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Britain on high alert fearing al-Qaeda attack
London, Nov 29: Britain`s security and intelligence agencies have been on a heightened state of alert for several weeks, fearing an al-Qaeda attack in this country.
London, Nov 29: Britain's security and intelligence agencies
have been on a heightened state of alert for several weeks, fearing
an al-Qaeda attack in this country.
Though no information indicating any specific target or an
imminent attack had been intercepted, but the activities of those
believed to be connected to al-Qaeda were said to have escalated
significantly, English daily Guardian reported.
Two weeks ago the intelligence services raised their internal warning level to its second highest state, from that of a 'significant' to a 'severe general' alert. The seven tier category of alerts was introduced after the Bali bombing in October last year.
The highest alert is triggered when there is an identified attack on the way to an identified target. Security services describe this as a ''defined'' threat.
The blasts at the British Consulate and the HSBC Bank in Turkey's largest city confirmed, as an earlier al-Qaeda statement predicted, that America's allies in Iraq had moved to the top of the militant network's target list. Britain was the first country mentioned in the statement.
The intelligence services and Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch agree that an al-Qaeda attack in the UK is a matter of when, not if.
heightened levels of security have resulted in tighter security around potential targets. Concrete barriers have been placed around parliament and there have been roadside checks on vehicles by police. The Jewish community has also been pressing for improved safeguards, the daily reported.
Bureau Report
Two weeks ago the intelligence services raised their internal warning level to its second highest state, from that of a 'significant' to a 'severe general' alert. The seven tier category of alerts was introduced after the Bali bombing in October last year.
The highest alert is triggered when there is an identified attack on the way to an identified target. Security services describe this as a ''defined'' threat.
The blasts at the British Consulate and the HSBC Bank in Turkey's largest city confirmed, as an earlier al-Qaeda statement predicted, that America's allies in Iraq had moved to the top of the militant network's target list. Britain was the first country mentioned in the statement.
The intelligence services and Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch agree that an al-Qaeda attack in the UK is a matter of when, not if.
heightened levels of security have resulted in tighter security around potential targets. Concrete barriers have been placed around parliament and there have been roadside checks on vehicles by police. The Jewish community has also been pressing for improved safeguards, the daily reported.
Bureau Report