The Korea Herald

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Terrorists look to implant bombs in humans

By 박한나

Published : July 7, 2011 - 11:57

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A bombing victim is wheeled by paramedics from Domodedovo International Airport. (MCT) A bombing victim is wheeled by paramedics from Domodedovo International Airport. (MCT)


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Airlines are being warned by the government that terrorists are considering surgically hiding bombs inside humans to evade airport security. As a result, travelers may find themselves subjected to more scrutiny when flying in the heart of summer vacation season, especially to the U.S. from abroad.

The FBI and Homeland Security Department sent a memo to security officials around the country on Wednesday about "body packing," describing it as a "criminal tactic with possible terrorist application."

The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, cited a 2005 incident in which Colombian men were accused of surgically implanting narcotics into human couriers.

The memo offered possible indicators of surgically implanted contraband, including a distended stomach or other unusual bulging, and visible physical discomfort from a pat-down.

Bombs-in-the-body is not a new idea, but recent intelligence indicates a fresh interest in using this method. People-scanning machines in airports aren't able to detect explosives hidden inside humans. Still, there is no current information that points to a specific plot involving surgically implanted explosives, a U.S. security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss such sensitive matters.

As airport security has increased since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, so has the terrorists' creativity in developing methods to get around it. Aviation continues to be a special target, and evidence from Osama bin Laden's compound showed that the al-Qaida leader retained his fascination with attacking airplanes until his death in May.

Last year, it was reported that British officials uncovered intelligence that al-Qaida was seeking to surgically implant bombs inside people, a move some believed was prompted by the use of full-body imaging machines at major airports around the world.

<한글기사>


美, 항공사에 '폭탄 인체이식' 테러 경고

미국 정부는 6일(현지시각) 항공사들에 테러리스트들이 인체에 폭발물을 이식한 뒤 테러 공격을 시도하려 한다고 경고했다.

이 같은 정보는 구체적 내용을 담고 있지는 않지만, 국내 및 국제 항공사  간부들에게 제공됐다.

미국 교통안전청(TSA)은 외국에서 미국으로 향하는 여행객들에 대해 공항에서 추가 검사를 할 수도 있다고 말했다.

익명을 요구한 보안 관리는 인체에 폭탄 또는 폭발물 부품 등을 이식하는 것은 새로운 테러 전술은 아니지만, 테러리스트들이 이를 활용하려 한다는 점은 주목해야 한다고 지적했다.
(연합뉴스)