London, Feb 14: The fear of terror attacks continues to mount with reports that Royal Air force jets are patrolling the skies over London and the army is likely to be moved into Central London.
The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on this but it has been conceded by authorities that the biggest ever security operation has been launched.
Missiles have possibly been smuggled from Pakistan, and the police fear that a big arsenal has been built up by terror gangs. It's a race against time to catch them before they can strike, said police chiefs. "People should have no illusion. They( terror gangs) are here."
Sources said that special monitoring is being done near mosques and in cities and suburbs, where a large number of people having links with Pakistan have settled. The arsenal of missiles could be stashed away in such areas.
The intelligence has definite information that an Al-Qaeda gang armed with shoulder-launched ground-to-air rockets capable of downing a plane taking off or landing, is aiming to blow up a passenger jet operated by El Al from Manchester. Police presence has been increased there.
Meanwhile Labour party chief John Reid has been possibly forced to backtrack on his statement that the threat here was like that of 9/11 in New York because of the panic that it might have created and also because of its adverse impact on tourism.
Home Secretary David Blunkett has however admitted that the closure of Heathrow was actively considered. He added he could only hope that the next few days would pass without any incident.
Heathrow has continued for the third consecutive day to be virtually under siege with troops stopping vehicles which may be moving within 13-mile perimeter around the airport.
Bureau Report
