Washington, May 8 (IBNS) The United States said it has foiled a bomb threat by Al Qaeda to a US-bound plane from Yemen before it posed any risk to the citizens or the airliner.
The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) of USA foiled the move around the time of the one year's anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden.
In a press release, the FBI said: "As a result of close cooperation with our security and intelligence partners overseas, an improvised explosive device (IED) designed to carry out a terrorist attack has been seized abroad."
"The FBI currently has possession of the IED and is conducting technical and forensics analysis on it. Initial exploitation indicates that the device is very similar to IEDs that have been used previously by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in attempted terrorist attacks, including against aircraft and for targeted assassinations."
"The device never presented a threat to public safety, and the U.S. government is working closely with international partners to address associated concerns with the device."
US officials said the plan to blow up the airliner was an upgrade of the underwear bomb that had failed to explode on a Detroit bound jetliner in 2009.
"What this incident makes clear is that this country has to continue to remain vigilant against those that would seek to attack this country. And we will do everything necessary to keep America safe," US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said.
