A rchive Date
[ 08-06-2006 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Canada ]
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[http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Warmington_Joe/2006/06/08/1620101.html
Food courts targeted?
By JOE WARMINGTON
Thu, June 8, 2006
Plastic fishing tackle boxes loaded with explosives and detonation equipment were allegedly going to be placed by the suspected terrorists in three downtown Toronto food courts, Sun sources say.
If the sources are correct, this would be the first known direct plan to target civilians. The frightening idea was to "set off small tool or tackle boxes" --thus maiming as many innocent people as possible.
"It was going to happen soon," said a source close to the investigation that led to the arrest of 17 men on terrorism charges.
The source said investigators were horrified. "You saw the boxes," a source said of last Saturday's news conference where one was displayed, adding they were set up for an attack in a "confined area."
They certainly were not going to take down an office building with them. But the source says wiretap evidence will show details of the plan --which was part of several other larger attacks. "With this, they would put two to three pounds of explosives in the box in with a cellphone and detonation equipment and then add in some nails."
The result of this would have been catastrophic in a packed food court. It's ruthlessly sick. There were three malls targeted - but the source only knew of the Eaton Centre for sure.
Thankfully the giant task force of law enforcement, of which Toronto Police officers are very much involved, stepped in before it could happen. They seized many gadgets that will later be introduced as evidence, the source said.
There have been numerous sourced reports of targeted structures like the CN Tower, CSIS offices, CBC headquarters, the subway, Parliament Hill and other public buildings.
But if this revelation is proven it would be the first direct allegation of an attack aimed at civilians.
"And there are people who have sympathy for these guys," said the insider. However, legal sources say in time they will show only harmless war games were being played, which will result in some suspects being acquitted.
Ultimately that's what the courts are for. The full information will eventually come out for the public to see, but it should be noted that it is already clear one of the suspects had some training in explosives.
Steven Vikash Chand, who had been a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces between 2000 and 2004 and later changed his name to his Islamic identity Abdul Shakur, was a member of the Toronto-based Royal Regiment of Canada.
He completed basic training and later graduated from the infantry training program, which includes instruction in the deployment and use of Claymore mines.
Other reports have indicated some of the suspects had been at a training camp near Bracebridge and had allegedly tested explosive devices near the Northern Ontario town of Matheson.
"They were definitely in Northern Ontario," said the source, who said the bomb tests were part of the alleged plans for attacks in Toronto.
You can call Joe Warmington at (416) 947-2392 or e-mail at joe.warmington@tor.sunpub.com
Have a letter for the editor? E-mail it to editor@tor.sunpub.com
Copyright © 2006, Canoe Inc. All rights reserved
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