Security and intelligence experts are deeply worried by a new development in suicide bombing, the BBC has learned.
It has emerged that an al-Qaeda bomber who died last month while trying to blow up a Saudi prince in Jeddah had hidden the explosives inside his body.
Only the attacker died, but it is feared that the new development could be copied by others.
Experts say it could have implications for airport security, rendering traditional metal detectors "useless".
Last month's bombing left people wondering how one of the most wanted al-Qaeda operatives in Saudi Arabia could get so close to the prince in charge of counter-terrorism that he was able to blow himself up in the same room.
Quote:
Peter Neuman of Kings College London says the case will be studied intensively, and that there are "tremendous implications for airport security with the potential of making it even more complicated to get on to your plane".
"If it really is true that the metal detectors couldn't detect this person's hidden explosive device, that would mean that the metal detectors as they currently exist in airports are pretty much useless," he said.
Re: Get prepared for more airport security disruption!
The fact that he only managed to kill himself is testament to how well the body can absorb an explosion.
There going to need more explosives in there...and the mental image I just had of what a pleasent terrorist person would have to go through to make room made me in real life!!!
Re: Get prepared for more airport security disruption!
The last things airports need is more security. Travelling by plane has becoming a decidely irrating experience what with the massive security checks, the stringent rules on hand luggage and the awful sight of armed Policemen at airports.
Re: Get prepared for more airport security disruption!
I do believe Monty Python addressed the issue of exploding people many years ago, as in the following Mr Creosote sketch (some bad language, hopefully no enough to get the link deleted):
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