Suspected al-Qaeda operative attempts to blow up US plane

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Dec 26 (PTI) A Nigerian passenger, suspected
to be an al-Qaeda operative, tried to ignite an incendiary
device aboard a Northwest Airlines plane from Amsterdam to
Detroit, a development termed as an "attempted act of
terrorism" by the White House.

The Nigerian national identified as Abdul Mudallad, 23,
tried to ignite a small explosive device as the plane began
its approach for landing Friday, officials said. The
incident has prompted the FBI to issue a nationwide red alert.
The passenger suffered burns as the result of his attempt
and two other passengers reported minor injuries, but the
plane was able to land safely, the New York Times quoted an
anti-terrorism official as saying.
FBI agents have started investigations into the incident
on the suspicion that it was an attempted act of terrorism,
the official said. The Nigerian national has been arrested and
is being questioned. During preliminary investigation, he has
conceded about his links with al-Qaeda.
US President Barack Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii,
was immediately notified.
"The President was notified of the incident by the
President's military aide," White House spokesman Bill Burton
said in a statement.
Obama subsequently convened a secure conference call with
John Brennan, his Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism
Adviser, and Denis McDonough, NSS Chief of Staff.
"The president is actively monitoring the situation and
receiving regular updates," the statement read. More PTI LKJ
MYR


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