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US ramps up aviation security on terror fear

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Lalit K Jha PTI Washington

The US today announced extra aviation security measures, including enhanced random screening and additional federal air marshals on "certain" routes, amid intelligence warning that al-Qaeda in Yemen was planning more attacks following the botched Christmas Day attempt to blow up an American plane.

In view of the event of the Christmas Day when al-Qaeda- trained Nigerian bomber Umar Farouq Abdulmutallab tried to blow up a Detroit-bound plane, the US must remain vigilant about the continued threat the country faces from the terror outfit, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.

Some of the additional aviation security measures include "enhanced random screening, additional federal air marshals on certain routes and adding individuals of concern to our terrorist watch list system", she said in a statement.

 

"As a result of these measures and others we have put in place since Christmas, travellers should allot extra time when flying -- particularly into the United States from overseas," she said.

Napolitano said these additional set of aviation security precautions are being taken to protect the American people.

Her remarks came as intelligence officials warned that al-Qaeda affiliates in Yemen were planning further attacks following the failed Christmas Day bombing.

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First Published: Jan 15 2010 | 3:49 PM IST

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