New York City police authorities confirmed on Wednesday that security is being strengthened around the city in the coming holiday season, following an "unsubstantiated" report of a terrorist plot against the subway system.
"There are no specific threats," said the city's Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. "We always have to be concerned anytime we have large gatherings; that's precisely what we'll do Thanksgiving Day. We'll have sufficient deployment of officers in my judgment to ensure safety."
Earlier Wednesday, the AP, quoting an internal memo, reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that al-Qaida terrorists may have discussed attacking the subway system in late September.
Peter King, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, was quoted as saying that authorities "have very real specifics as to who it is and where the conversation took place and who conducted it."
"It certainly involves suicide bombing attacks on the mass transit system in and around New York and it's plausible, but there's no evidence yet that it's in the process of being carried out," King said.
FBI spokesman Richard Kolko confirmed that his agency and the Homeland Security Department issued a bulletin Tuesday night to state and local authorities.
"While federal agencies regularly issue all sorts of advisory warnings, the language of this one is particularly blunt," the AP said.
Jeremy Soffin, press secretary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates New York City's public transit system, said the MTA is aware of the report of terrorist threats during the holiday season.
"We are already on high alert and are always on a heightened state of readiness during this season," Soffin said in a statement. "We have been working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement to increase police presence throughout our transportation system."
While urging people to remain alert and report any suspicious activity or packages, Scoffin said that "there is no reason to be alarmed."
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article