Gates of Vienna:
As was reported yesterday in The Daily Mail, train robbers in Birmingham stole a shipment of anti-tank mines from a freight train:
Powerful Anti-Tank Mines Used by British Troops in Afghanistan Are Stolen From Goods Train
A shipment of powerful anti-tank mines have been stolen from a goods train.
Thieves are thought to have snatched the mines, used by British troops in Afghanistan, when the train was forced to stop because of a body on the track.
The munitions were discovered missing when the train pulled into a station 90 miles further down the line.
Specialist counter-terrorism officers from the Metropolitan Police, supported by the British Transport Police and the Ministry of Defence, have launched a hunt for the missing mines.
The rectangular bar mines contain explosives but need extra components to make them operational, said Whitehall sources.
It is understood the heist on Thursday was the work of ‘opportunists’ who broke into one of the stationary wagons unaware of the sensitive cargo, rather than a targeted raid.
But investigators are concerned that the mines, which the British Army use to blow up bridges and buildings in Helmand, could fall into the wrong hands.
The L9 Bar Mines contain explosives but need extra components to make them operational, said Whitehall sources.
The obligatory pre-formulated “no-connection-with-terrorism” mantra was uttered by the British Authorities, much as it is by their American counterparts:
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: ‘At this stage there is nothing to suggest that the theft is terrorist-related. However due to the potential complexity of the investigation and specialist skills of officers, inquiries are being led by counter-terrorism officers.’
By extra components they mean a blasting cap. Smaller than your little finger and available from the mining and exploration industry anywhere in the world.
“But investigators are concerned that the mines, which the British Army use to blow up bridges and buildings in Helmand, could fall into the wrong hands.”
errr, aren’t they already in the wrong hands?
they can make electronic detonaters easily with kit from a hardware shop or garage.
how long before more big bangs and dead innocents in the DUK?
fancy moving such a cargo without security.
body on track?
sound a little too much like a coincidence.
Of course, if it turns out that the robbery was planned by good old-fashioned white British gangsters the media will be all over it, and the perpetrators named and shamed.
If, on the other hand there turns out to be a Muslim connection, the criminals will probably be revealed as ‘Asian’, the Media will tell us not to panic, not to be ‘Islamaphobic’, and will probably run subsequent stories on how caring local mosques are raising money for charity.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: ‘At this stage there is nothing to suggest that the theft is terrorist-related.
Right. So we should see them soon in our local Tesco.
Things are getting very serious when the insurgents move to acquire that much explosive. The detonators can be acquired through more robberies or made at home if you know enough and take the proper precautions. (they will probably try and blow themselves up)
I can think of several ways the Moslems could use the mines, none of them good.