European Airport Lobbies Possible Terror Targets: Report

By Jon E. Dougherty at 4 Oct 2010

The pre-security areas in as many as five international airports were part of the recently uncovered European terror plot, officials said over the weekend.

In an unusual move, the State Department issued a "Travel Alert" Sunday for "potential terrorist attacks in Europe," noting U.S. citizens are "reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure," ABC News reported.

Officials told the news agency that terrorist teams could be planning commando-style attacks using small arms and small teams, similar to the Mumbai attacks two years ago.

One possible scenario, ABC News reported, could be modeled after an attack on the Rome and Vienna airports in 1985, when Palestinian extremists threw grenades and used small arms against travelers waiting at ticket counters. Those attacks killed 19, including a child, and injured 140 others.

U.S. and European officials learned of the plot in late summer, following the capture of a German terrorist who had been training in Pakistan.

Pakistani officials told the news agency that the plot leaders have since been identified and targeted.

Former FBI agent Brad Garrett, now an ABC News consultant, said despite the discovery of the plot, the attacks could still be carried out if the terrorist groups believe they could successfully launch them.

"These plans go together at a particular point in time, and it may be perhaps that they are at a juncture with people, equipment and locations that they need to do it now," he said.

U.S. officials, meanwhile, said there was no specific information regarding attacks on American soil.

The Mumbai, India attacks in 2008 began on Nov. 26 and ended two days later. They were carried out by 10 teams of terrorists from neighboring Pakistan. At least 173 people were killed and another 308 wounded.

The attacks focused on soft targets including the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital - a hospital for women and children, the Orthodox Jewish-owned Nariman House, the Metro Cinema, and St. Xavier's College, according to reports.

Ajmal Kasab, the only attacker who was captured alive, told authorities that the attackers were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant organization.