al Qaedas newest weapon ... the underwear bomb

ABC News is reporting that the bomb that Abdul Farouk Umar Abdulmutallab tried to detonate on NWA Flight 253 was sewn into his underwear:

The plot to blow up an American passenger jet over Detroit was organized and launched by al Qaeda leaders in Yemen who apparently sewed bomb materials into the suspect's underwear before sending him on his mission, federal authorities tell ABC News.

Investigators say the suspect had more than 80 grams of PETN, a compound related to nitro-glycerin used by the military. The so-called shoe bomber, Richard Reid, had only about 50 grams kin his failed attempt in 2001 to blow up a U.S.-bound jet. Yesterday's bomb failed because the detonator may have been too small or was not in "proper contact" with the explosive material, investigators told ABC News.

Investigators say the suspect, Abdul Farouk Umar Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian student whose birthday was last Tuesday, has provided detailed information about his recruitment and training for what was supposed to be a Christmas Day suicide attack.

-ABC News

Because of Richard Reid we have to remove our shoes while going through security. I wonder how TSA plans to inspect our underwear before boarding?



Investigators: Terrorist wore suicide underwear made by top AQ bombmaker in Yemen (Hot Air)