International   

U.K. troops on guard at Heathrow

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON FEB 12. Britain has launched one of the biggest anti-terrorist operations in nearly a decade following what was claimed to be `credible' intelligence reports of an imminent terror attack on Heathrow airport.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, authorised deployment of troops to protect the world's busiest airport after he was told of fears of a possible missile attack on a low-flying plane. It was described as the most serious terrorist threat since the September 11 outrage, and the police said they were not ruling out use of troops in Central London even as security was stepped up at Manchester airport.

Though it was claimed that the decision to deploy troops at Heathrow was prompted by a `specific' threat to shoot down a plane, no details were given. Security agencies insisted that the threat to Heathrow was "very real'' and `solid'.

``We wouldn't do this without extremely good reason. Our aim is to disrupt a potential terrorist attack,'' one official said as the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, and the London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, warned people to be vigilant. At one stage, there was reported to be a move to close down Heathrow airport completely but the idea was dropped for fear of causing panic. It was also felt that this could be regarded as a victory by `terrorists'.

The area around Heathrow airport looked like an army camp as tanks rolled past the complex and soldiers stopped and searched vehicles. The last time the airport was subjected to such a visible security operation was in 1994 when the Irish Republican Army fired mortar bombs at a runway. The Government denied that it was exaggerating the threat to justify military action against Iraq, and Downing Street maintained that the "threat is real and the response to it will go up and down accordingly.''

Security agencies pointed the finger at Al-Qaeda saying it was known to have "an interest in airports'' and possess shoulder-launched missiles.

Attempts to link a possible attack with Id festival were criticised by Muslim groups who said such statements would only fuel Islamophobia.

They said Id was a peaceful event and it was `mischievous' to associate it with threat of violence.

Meanwhile, in the House of Commons, Mr. Blair underlined the seriousness of the situation.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• France, Germany stick to stance
• China, Japan air divergent views on Iraq
• IAEA refers N. Korea stand-off to U.N. Council
• U.K. troops on guard at Heathrow
• Osama asks Iraqis to attack Americans
• Yashwant Sinha to visit Russia
• Fracas over ceasefire violation
• Stampede victims identified
• Kashmir a major flashpoint: Australia
• Pak. PM hopes for dialogue
• Bofors to test new version of howitzer
• Air chief in Colombo
• Indo-Pak. tensions have reduced: U.S.

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu