Sunday, August 14 2005 11:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the US, al-Qaeda terrorists are plotting to drive hijacked fuel tankers into petrol stations to cause mass casualties in London and American cities in the next few weeks, intelligence chiefs have warned.

"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 September 19," a leaked warning, contained in a bulletin issued by US Department for Homeland Security, said.

"The 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."

According to a report in 'The Sunday Times' today (Aug 14, 2005), the attacks are aimed at creating catastrophic damage at about the time of the fourth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

The warning came as it emerged that the British Department for Transport had for the first time issued guidelines ordering a tightening of security around the UK road tanker fleet.

The US warning has been circulated among law enforcement agencies and fuel transport agencies. Although a preamble states that "no other intelligence exists to corroborate this specific threat", the intelligence report is highly specific.

The document goes on to suggest that the proposed methods will involve suicide drivers: "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."