Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Brits Blast Into Suspect House in Leeds

Working on information developed by surveillance cameras and personal effects of men believed involved in the London terror attacks, British authorities have raided a house in Leeds, using explosives to get inside. From the Associated Press:
LEEDS, England - The bomber responsible for last week's explosion on a London double-decker bus was believed to be among the 13 people killed on board, a discovery that led to raids Tuesday in Leeds, a northern city with a strong Muslim community, news reports said.

In a key development in the investigation into the terror attacks that killed at least 52 people, British soldiers blasted their way into a modest Leeds row house to search for explosives and computers. Streets were cordoned off and about 500 people were evacuated. Hours earlier, police searched five residences elsewhere in the city.

Sky News reported that in addition to the bomber on the bus, attackers carried explosives onto three subway trains, and that all four were killed. Police declined to comment on the report and have said in the past there was no evidence of suicide bombings.
Radio reports indicated that the Brits were in contact with a Leeds imam who was cooperating with them and giving information.

Though the terrorists who carried out the attacks are now thought to have died, arrests of conspirators may be imminent. Pity the Brits no longer have the death penalty.