August 14, 2005

This communication from the New York State Office of Homeland Security is Sensitive. The New York State Office of Homeland Security in conjunction with the Upstate New York Regional Intelligence Centre, issues the following advisory to the Oil, Gas, and Transportation sectors:

Governor
Advisor on Counter-Terrorism

The United States Intelligence Community has repeatedly advised of threat streams suggesting al Qaeda and affiliated groups have considered using a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) in a US-based attack. There are numerous historical and current threat streams to suggest the terrorist use of tanker fuel trucks, among other vehicle types, to facilitate a major explosion targeting critical infrastructure and designed to create mass casualties or economic destruction.

A senior al Qaeda operational planner captured in Pakistan in March 2003, has told interrogators that he had developed terrorist plots targeting gas stations due to their apparent vulnerability and the potential destructive force of a fuel-driven explosion.

Terrorists in Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq have effectively used large fuel trucks as VBIEDs against military and civilian coalition targets. The following tear line information, provided by the Intelligence Community, identifies a possible threat to the United States involving the use of fuel tankers as Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices. This tear line has been widely disseminated throughout law enforcement channels, generating numerous inquiries regarding the imminent nature of the threat. Although this report makes an attack appear imminent, no other intelligence exists to corroborate this specific threat stream. This scenario represents just one of many possible methods of attack known to be considered by terrorist organizations.

1. (FOUO) Al Qaeda leaders plan to employ various types of fuel trucks as vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) in an effort to cause mass casualties in the US (and London), prior to 19 September. Attacks are planned specifically for New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. It is unclear whether the attacks will occur simultaneously or be spread over a period of time. The stated goal is the collapse of the US economy.

2. (FOUO) Some of the vehicles used will be hijacked. The type of vehicle may be anything from gasoline tanker trucks to trucks hauling oxygen and gas cylinders. Water trucks filled with gasoline or other highly combustible material may also be used. The detonation of the vehicles will be carried out by driving them into gas stations or ramming explosive-laden vehicles into the trucks carrying the fuel.

3. (FOUO) The attackers will be members of small Al Qaeda cells which are spread throughout the US. The cell responsible for the specific attack will execute the plan upon receipt of an order.

4. (FOUO) It is possible that the tape recently released on television by Zawahiri was meant as the activation signal to the cells and not so much as an indictment to Bush or Blair.

In light of a potential VBIED threat in the US, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has disseminated bulletins incorporating the advantages for terrorists in using large, official looking vehicles, and suggested measures for owners and operators of facilities where large vehicles are housed.

Excerpts of FBI Bulletin #166, dated May 10, 2005 are included below:

VEHICLES AS VBIEDS

On January 12, 2005, DHS and the FBI published Joint Bulletin 162, titled "Terrorist Tactics: Analysis of the Surveillance Notes Concerning Certain U.S. Financial Buildings." This bulletin provides information on VBIED attacks using a limousine, to which security personnel provide some degree of deference, or in a service/delivery vehicle, because they do not attract unwanted attention. Exploding a device in an underground parking lot, VIP area, or near the main entrance or a support column were the main attack options offered in the notes.

Terrorists have shown creativity in their VBIED platforms, ranging from tanker trucks (Khobar Towers in 1996) to rental trucks (World Trade Center in 1993). A delivery vehicle acquired through a legitimate source could provide the following advantages when deployed as a VBIED:

• Heavy/large payload capacity.
• Vehicle interior and contents are not visible.
• Vehicle, due to its size, could ram security barriers.
• Access to high value symbolic or economic targets.
• Can fit in parking garages (based on the size of the vehicle).
• Easy licensing procedures (based on the size and purpose of the vehicle).
• Delivery vehicles can typically remain stationary for extended periods without drawing suspicion.
• Public perception as a recognized entity (recognized company delivery van).
• Rigging vehicle for VBIED use in privacy (e.g. at night, in a private garage after hours).
• Fuel Laden VBIED.

POTENTIAL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES

• The Office of Homeland Security, in cooperation with the Upstate New York Regional Intelligence Center, encourages owners and operators of fuel depots, truck companies and gas stations to report any of the following activities to the UNYRIC Counter Terrorism Center at 1-866-SAFE-NYS.
• Individuals videotaping or photographing premises for no apparent reason.
• Suspicious individuals apparently surveilling delivery of fuel from tanker-trucks.
• Inquiries regarding the frequency of fuel deliveries to your business.
• Any information regarding the loss, theft or attempted theft of any tanks, vehicles, or driver's license credentials or licenses used in the transportation of bulk fuel to your station.
• Theft of fuel or unexplained loss from your business inventory or tractor-trailer-tanker.
• Customer requests to purchase unusual amounts of fuel, not typical of most transactions, or an unusual method of payment.
• Unusual inquiries from strangers concerning how to store bulk fuel or handle it on premises.

SUGGESTED PROTECTIVE MEASURES

• The following are the recommended general protective measures that apply to facilities with both controlled and uncontrolled access, and specific protective measures recommended for soft targets with controlled access.
• General Protective Measures for Controlled and Uncontrolled Access:
• Security personnel and private citizens should be advised to remain vigilant in ensuring that large vehicles of any kind in the vicinity of critical infrastructure facilities are viewed as a security risk until proven otherwise.
• Ensure all personnel are provided periodic security briefings regarding present and emerging threats.
• Specific Protective Measures for Soft Targets with Controlled Access:
• Be alert to the necessity for thoroughly checking large vehicles of any kind attempting to gain access to controlled critical infrastructure facilities.
• Review existing vehicle bombing prevention procedures to incorporate thwarting the use of a moving vehicle bomb, and consider adjusting buffer zones further from potential targets.
• Adjusting buffer zones further from potential targets.
• Periodically rearrange exterior vehicle barriers, traffic cones and road blocks to alter traffic patterns near facilities.
• Limit the number of access points and strictly enforce access control procedures.
• Approach all illegally parked vehicles in and around facilities, question drivers and direct them to move immediately; if the owner cannot be identified, have vehicle towed by law enforcement.
• Provide vehicle inspection training to security personnel, and institute a robust vehicle inspection program to include checking the undercarriage of vehicles, under the hood and in the trunk.
• Deploy explosive detection devices and explosive detection canine teams.
• Institute/increase security patrols varying in size, timing and routes.
• Increase perimeter lighting and maintain/remove vegetation in and around perimeters.
• Encourage personnel to be alert and to immediately report any situation that appears to constitute a threat or suspicious activity.
• uard force turnover and personnel authentication procedures.
• Implement random security guard shift changes.
• Deploy visible security cameras and motion sensors - review security camera footage daily to detect possible indicators of pre-operational surveillance.
• As always, observance of suspicious individuals and activities, or any threats received should immediately be reported to the Upstate New York Regional Intelligence Center, Counter Terrorism Center, at 1866-SAFE-NYS.

Please treat this and all other communications from the Office of Homeland Security as SENSITIVE.

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Police hunt for tanker terror cell

August 15, 2005

POLICE admitted last night that they are no nearer to finding a mastermind behind the July 7 bombings as Scotland Yard faced a new threat from terrorists driving hijacked fuel tankers into petrol stations.

A focus for the investigation will be to trace any video evidence recorded by the four bombers admitting the attacks, as other British suicide bombers have done in the past.

Counter-terrorism officers want to pour more manpower into investigating the July 7 atrocity but will now have to concentrate on the weekend warning from the US Department of Homeland Security, which said that terrorists plan to strike within the next month in Britain and in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Scotland Yard’s priority remains preventing another attack but it will draft more officers into hunting the support network behind the 7/7 attacks, which killed 56 people.

Police do not know where the four bombers spent the night before the attack and senior officers do not believe that they acted alone. One senior source said: “The background of these four does not suggest that they could have done everything themselves. Someone had to train them in building a sophisticated set of bombs and all sorts of other logistical support.” The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, has conceded that tracing any third terrorist cell is proving difficult as there is no intelligence on those involved in the attacks.

Scotland Yard dare not relax the London lockdown with reports that another terrorist cell is in place. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner said at the weekend: “The fact that we had two attacks makes the possibility of a third attack more likely, not less likely.” US agents would not say how they had discovered details of the plot to hijack fuel tankers, a favoured terrorist tactic in the Middle East. British police are understood to have foiled a number of plots involving lorry bombs, including one on London pubs and nightclubs last year.

The Department of Transport has issued security guidelines for fuel companies and others with fleets of tankers. Transport experts have called for closer monitoring of tankers on the road and companies are examining technology to allow vehicles to be shut down if they are hijacked.

Al-Qaeda figures in US custody have said that videos showing how to prepare lorry bombs and footage of tankers ramming buildings are shown at training camps. One of al-Qaeda’s leading tacticians, has reportedly told interrogators that he drew up plans to target petrol stations, because of “their apparent vulnerability and the potential destructive force of a fuel-driven explosion”, the Homeland Security report says. It adds: “Al-Qaeda leaders plan to employ various types of fuel trucks as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in an effort to cause mass casualties...The stated goal is the collapse of the US economy.”

The Government received support yesterday from an independent watchdog for its policy of deporting Islamic extremists. The Liberal Democrat peer appointed to review anti-terror measures, said in an interview for the BBC that ministers were right to get deals with foreign governments to take back “preachers of hate”. The Home Secretary, has banned one cleric from returning from Lebanon and ordered the arrest of ten radicals, including one individual, described as “al-Qaeda’s spiritual ambassador in Europe”. His lawyers have to appeal by Wednesday to stop his deportation to Jordan, where he may face terrorism charges.

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