Up to 8 reportedly in custody in Pakistan in connection with Times Square bombing attempt

[Robb]

Source: Fox/CBS

Between four and eight people have been taken into custody for questioning in Pakistan in connection with the investigation of the Times Square bombing attempt, sources told CBS News.

Authorities are not saying who the potential suspects are or where they are being held, but they say there were raids Monday night and Tuesday morning in different locations. Some of them reportedly may be related to suspect Fasial Shahzad, the Pakistani-born U.S. citizen who was arrested overnight in New York.

Also, a man was arrested in Karachi for his connection to the bombing attempt, Pakistani intelligence sources told Fox News.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/04/pakistani-american-arrested-times-square-plot/

[NJmaverick]

1. "said he received no help to plan the attack"

I think the results speak for themselves. It was a poorly made device that showed a lack of understanding about how to make explosives.

[Oregone]

2. So why did the "Pakistan Taliban" claim credit prior to anyone knowing this man was involved?

Yeah, it surely was a piece of shit bomb, but he seems to be no "lone wolf"

[NJmaverick]

4. Why wouldn't they claim credit? Nothing to lose but plenty to gain

[Oregone]

7. And same goes for Afghan Taliban, Chechnya Rebels, Al Queda, etc....

But yet...it was the *Pakistan* Taliban...


You chalk this up to a coincidence?

[boppers]

9. Nothing to lose? He/They look like laughingstocks.

They can't even assemble the right *ingredients* to make a decent explosive device, let alone figure out how to trigger one?

It's like claiming responsibility for trying to rob a bank with a rubber-band gun, and failing.

[Oregone]

11. Ive given this some thought too

But whether or not it explodes, it surely produces "terror" and conveys the message that people are not safe while their country is bombing people thousands of miles away.

Yes, its strange to take credit for absolute incompetence, but theyll surely get some press time for it (and isn't all press good press? :))

What is odd...well, these people ought to know that terrorism will just be used as an excuse to expand the war. Why not strike at a supply convoy or take out people aiding the enemy? Why attempt something that will further entrench the US in a global war with the public's support?

Maybe they want that to happen. Maybe "they" aren't really who we are being told they are. Who knows. I wont ever.

[boppers]

16. On watching the ongoing narrative, TV reporters seem to be amping up the failure.

It goes something like this:
"Had the rubber-bands been bullets, many people could have died, in horrific ways, paralyzing the country"

It's almost(?) as if real dangers are no longer needed, the mere insinuation of possible danger is enough to be "an attack". Since terrorism is meant to be a psychological weapon, perhaps "they" have figured out that it's much easier, and cheaper, to create an atmosphere of terror without even bothering with the time and hassle of, oh, making actual weapons.

[snagglepuss]

12. I read in a UK paper that similiar devices were successfully denoted in the UK.

[Oregone]

14. With what kind of pay load?

I mean...come on...this is the 21st century. :) Good thing this guy wasn't there yet

[brendan120678]

3. Yep, it's obvious he didn't receive any physical help...

but perhaps financial, or "instructional" help.
Who knows? There is still much more information to be released (or hidden) in the days to come, I am sure.

[maddezmom]

5. MSNBC saying 5 arrested and the Fox site says up to 8

[MidwestTransplant]

8. up to 8 doesn't necessarily mean more than 5. Fox is just trying to be special.

[cutlassmama]

18. Special Ed

[maddezmom]

10. CBS: Source: Up To 8 Probed Over NYC Bomb In Pakistan

A tourist from Holland captured this video of the Nissan Pathfinder in the Times Square failed bomb incident on Saurday, May 1, 2010 just moments after police were alerted to the suspicious vehicle.
CBS
Sources tell CBS News that multiple people have been taken into custody for questioning in Pakistan in connection with the Times Square bomb plot.

Authorities are not saying who the potential suspects are or where they are being held, but they say there were raids Monday night and Tuesday morning in different locations. It's believed between four and eight people are being held, and there are reports that some of them may be related to the suspect arrested overnight in New York.

more: http://wcbstv.com/topstories/times.square.car.2.1673810.html

[Robb]

13. Thanks, I updated. nt

[Parker CA]

6. MSNBC just reported that five associates were arrested in Pakistan. More info to come I'm sure.

[Robb]

15. Reuters update:

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SGE6430KY.htm

[Robb]

17. At least one is named: Tauseef Ahmed

...hopefully not the cricket player from Karachi Google gave me. :D