One-tonne bomb seized in Saudi Arabia

[ConcernedCanuk]

. . 27.11.2003 - 18:00

By Dominic Evans

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's 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 Tuesday's 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.



Hmmm - forging military insignas, these people are not amateurs!