British police are continuing to question eight men arrested yesterday during Britain's biggest anti-terror operation since the September 11 attacks of 2001.
With Europe already on a high state of alert after the Madrid bombings, police yesterday pounced in 24 separate raids, seizing more than half a tonne of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, which is prime bomb-making material.The eight suspects were believed to be Muslims of Pakistani origin, police sources said.There was enough explosive material to launch an attack as devastating as the IRA bomb that hit London's financial district in 1996, targeting a showpiece Canary Wharf skyscraper.The fertiliser was similar to that used in the 2002 Bali bombings - but there was no clue about possible targets.Britain, Washington's closest ally in the "war on terror" and in toppling Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, has long feared it could be a prime target for Islamic extremists.London's police chief has repeatedly said he believes an attack is inevitable. Britain has been on high alert since the September 11 suicide plane attacks on New York and Washington.Home Secretary David Blunkett said Tuesday's finds were a "timely reminder" that British interests at home and abroad remained a target."We have always been clear with the people in the UK that we face a real and serious threat," he said.