Salient points on Bombers (for Londoners) and explosives..

[Alan]

I havent really introduced myself on the site before, but my name is Alan, and I have had some experience of bombs (and diving, but can get to that later). I originate from Omagh, Co. Tyrone which had about 8 bomb attacks in my time there, the worst being the last which killed friends and neighbours of mine.

I also served in the army like my father (also a keen diver). I have some experience of this type of situation and would like to share my knowledge with my fellow divers (specifically London based divers like myself).

Don't panic. The people we are dealing with are making the explosives themselves, which is a plus point. Its unstable, and in cases like today, its probably not been good enough to react with the detonator.

It looks to me like it was the same cell, since they had detonators, which are harder to come by than explosives! Serious terrorists (who know what they are doing), mix high grade explosives with home made to have a better chance of a catastrophe.

They arent that switched on either but I will not say why, no need to educate the ignorant on their deadly purposes.

Their main form of attack is not the bombs but fear, do not give into it. These guys are amateurs and can easily be spotted. I have asked on several occassions for people on a crowded train to indentify a bag before. Don't be afraid to do the same.

Thats all it takes. Bombs on the underground require timers and cannot be set off remote controlled. Which means they cannot be blocked. Which means your own vigilance is key to protecting yourself.

Home made bombs are usually quite bulky, and as we know the ruck sack is the delivery method of choice. Your not a racist if you ask someone of a Pakinstani orgin whats in their bag!

Remember don't give into the fear. Also remember that a bomb scare can just be a ruse for a more catastrophic attack.

The press have no idea what they are talking about, so keep your wits about you.

Big hug,

Al

[Garf]

Originally Posted by FishFinger

Your not a racist if you ask someone of a Pakinstani orgin whats in their bag!

ummm, I think you'll find that you, in fact, are, if you do this becuase they are Pakistani.

[Mick F]

Originally Posted by Garf

ummm, I think you'll find that you, in fact, are, if you do this becuase they are Pakistani.

Yep, Garf is right.

Also, ANIS or equivalent mixes, ain't suitable for a rucksack bomb. Very few people can mix up other homemades in small effective amounts.

I would be very wary of what's behind todays events. You don't go from a position of four dets to a position of four no-dets, just don't happen. The devices today didn't go off for a reason. That reason has yet to be identified.

Originally Posted by FishFinger

Bombs on the underground require timers and cannot be set off remote controlled.

Nope. A simple trigger can be set off from a couple of carriages away

Originally Posted by FishFinger

I have asked on several occassions for people on a crowded train to indentify a bag before.

Ask that question of a genuine triggerman & it may be the last few words to pass your lips. Risking a serious flaming here, only the Israelis have had any kind of success rate of dealing with triggermen & they don't tend to ask those kind of questions. Only someone trained in profiling can possibly/maybe identify a suicide bomber. Do you really fancy accosting a young asian kid who is wound up, and appears nervous, about the job interview he is going too?? Would you like it to happen to you?

Just be thankful that, so far, we haven't had the casualty count of two weeks ago. I use the word "we" deliberately here. Enough damage and carnage has been done to Londoners by so called "Irish Patriots"

Our thoughts are with you.

[Rob Evans]

Your not a racist if you ask someone of a Pakinstani orgin whats in their bag!

You're a better man than me if you can tell a Pakistani from an Indian or a Bangladeshi just by looking.
Don't go that way - cos then the evil f*ckers behind all this will have achieved their goal.

[dave archer]

Originally Posted by Rob Evans

Don't go that way - cos then the evil f*ckers behind all this will have achieved their goal.

What he said.
Carry on totally regardless, don't alter a thing due to these c*nts - the only way to not let them win.

Dave.

[Alan]

But for the right reasons

Explosives are mixed in batches, and the recipe for each batch may not have been the same, due to the technician or the time to make the batch not been the same (or the ingredients).

I did not imply that people of a Middle Eastern race should be singled out, but that anyone that acts suspiciously should be considered, even people from a Middle Eastern background. Being overly PC can kill

Also the remark about radio controlled explosives is completely redundant, and for one thing the operating model of these terrorists is to commit suicide.

I would rather take my chances with the bomber than with the bomb!!!

A

[Finless]

Alan,

I just wondered if you were married and/or had a steady girlfriend and whether they'd be annoyed about you going about on the forum claiming a Fish Finger?

Bryan

[Alan]

Change of subject.

good form

A

[Garf]

Originally Posted by FishFinger

But for the right reasons

Explosives are mixed in batches, and the recipe for each batch may not have been the same, due to the technician or the time to make the batch not been the same (or the ingredients).

I did not imply that people of a Middle Eastern race should be singled out, but that anyone that acts suspiciously should be considered, even people from a Middle Eastern background. Being overly PC can kill

Also the remark about radio controlled explosives is completely redundant, and for one thing the operating model of these terrorists is to commit suicide.

I would rather take my chances with the bomber than with the bomb!!!

A

Sorry I disagree with this completely. The moment you start worrying about the man next to you, or the boy on the train, the terrorists have achieved their goal, which is primarilt to terrorise, and as a result undermine belief in the security of the existing polotial or socio-economic system. The best way for civvies to combat terrorism is to do the exact opposite of what you are saying - just get on with life and prove it's not as easy to disrupt it as they think. Looking over your shoulder for possible suspects is exactly what the terrorists want you to do, so why give the tw@ts the satisfaction.

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by Garf

Sorry I disagree with this completely. The moment you start worrying about the man next to you, or the boy on the train, the terrorists have achieved their goal, which is primarilt to terrorise, and as a result undermine belief in the security of the existing polotial or socio-economic system. The best way for civvies to combat terrorism is to do the exact opposite of what you are saying - just get on with life and prove it's not as easy to disrupt it as they think. Looking over your shoulder for possible suspects is exactly what the terrorists want you to do, so why give the tw@ts the satisfaction.

Well, I'm not in London but I wonder how many people who are would not look at least twice at a 30-year-old male of Indian/Pakistani/Arab appearance with a rucksack on his back on the tube or a bus today. I certainly would.