Airline Attack

Al Qaeda Planned Plane Bombing?

Terrorist had help sewing explosive into underpants.

Did Northwest Flight 253—the one that alleged terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to blow up on Christmas Day—have a hero? The New York Times and New York Post laud Dutch filmmaker Jasper Schuringa, who restrained Abdulmutallab and helped to remove the explosive device from his hands. But, ABC News says that the attack was thwarted not because of heroics, but rather because the makeshift detonator failed to work; otherwise, Abdulmutallab was packing more than enough explosives to bring down the plane. ABC News adds that Abdulmutallab’s plot was “organized and launched by al Qaeda in Yemen”—according to Abdulmutallab, the explosive device he brought on board the plane was sewed into his underwear by al Qaeda operatives. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Sunday she does not believe the plan was part of a larger plot.