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1 ton bomb seized in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabiaâs security forces have found a pick-up truck packed with more than a tonne of explosives after raiding a militant cell primed to launch a "terrorist operation" in Riyadh, officials say. State television showed footage of the truck, seized after a clash on Tuesday in which two wanted militants were killed, filled with the explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and gas cylinders to magnify the force of any explosion. Officials say Tuesdayâs raid by security forces thwarted an imminent attack during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, less than three weeks after suspected al Qaeda bombers killed at least 18 people in a residential compound in the Saudi capital. An Interior Ministry source said on Thursday the truck had 1,267 kg (2,790 lbs) of ammonium nitrate-based explosives in the back when it was seized. A further 1,377 kg of explosives was found nearby, along with more than a thousand rounds of ammunition. Television footage showed a pick-up truck, painted dark brown and marked with military insignia. Authorities also showed what they said were forged emblems of state security agencies, and military uniforms. Witnesses have said the attackers who struck on November 9 at the Muhaya compound on Riyadhâs eastern desert outskirts got through a Saudi National Guard checkpoint because their vehicle had military markings.The two men killed on Tuesday were Abdul-Mohsen Abdul-Aziz al-Shebanat and Musaid Mohammed Daidan al-Subaie, the Interior Ministry said. Shebanat was shot and killed as he fired at security forces from the boot of a car while Subaie blew himself up with a hand grenade, it said. Shebanatâs corpse and Subaieâs mangled remains were also shown on television. Security forces were still hunting down an unspecified number of militants who escaped. Newspapers hailed Tuesdayâs clash as the fourth success by security forces this year in thwarting planned attacks. Authorities have announced huge arms seizures in recent months across the kingdom, including the holy city of Mecca, where Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz said militants were planning attacks against Muslim pilgrims. But much of the country remains on guard. In the capital, extra concrete blocks were put round the Faisaliah tower — one of two landmark skyscrapers — over the three-day Eid holiday. Some hotels tightened security and expatriate compounds kept up high defences against attack. Posted by: Dan Darling 2003-11-28 |
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