A leader in Syria recruited an undercover investigator from a newspaper to plant a pressure-cooker bomb to kill soldiers and bystanders at an Armed Forces Day parade
London: UK police have foiled a suicide bombing plot by the Islamic State (IS) group targeting an Armed Forces Day parade on Saturday, in a bid to kill soldiers from the regiment of Lee Rigby who was killed by Islamist extremists in 2013.
The plot to explode a pressure-cooker bomb to kill soldiers and bystanders on the route was uncovered after one of its leaders in Syria unwittingly recruited an undercover investigator from the newspaper to carry it out, The Sun newspaper said.
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Order to detonate bomb
It is alleged that a figure in the IS, named Junaid Hussain from Birmingham, told the paper’s investigator: “It will be big. We will hit the kuffar (unbelievers) hard. Hit their soldiers in their own land. Soldiers that served in Iraq and Afghanistan will be present.
Jump in the crowd and detonate the bomb. They think they can kill Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan then come back to the UK and be safe. We’ll hit them hard.” The newspaper said the plot to bomb the parade in Merton, south-west London, was thwarted when it informed police and security services.
Security breach
The parade was targeted because it was closest to the barracks in Woolwich, south-east London, where Fusilier Rigby, 25, was hacked to death by Islamist extremists in May 2013. Fusiliers from his regiment, serving Gurkhas and war veterans would be among the 250 marchers, the report added.
Prime Minister David Cameron said there will be “heightened security” at events paying tribute to British military. Police said they have stepped up security and have encouraged the public to attend events as normal.
The fourth estate
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “It is always helpful when journalists share with us information, as The Sun did in this case, that could indicate terrorist or criminal activity.” He also added that their priority was the safety and security for all those attending or involved. the public were encouraged to continue with their plans to attend or take part in events as normal.
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