Days before September 11, Taliban used operatives disguised as journalists to assassinate Afghan rebel commander Ahmed Shah Massoud.
AP/Hasan Jamali
The Saudi Interior Ministry said Al Qaida operatives were believed to
have been disguised as television journalists and cameramen. The ministry
said Al Qaida was stuffing TV cameras with explosives to assassinate senior
officials and visiting leaders.
"All measures have been taken to prevent their objectives," Interior
Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al Turki said.
Also In This Edition
On April 11, the ministry issued a warning of an Al Qaida attack in
Saudi Arabia. Al Turki said the alert would result in greater security
procedures during photo opportunities with visiting officials and
delegations.
Al Turki urged Saudi and other journalists to carry official credentials. He said Al Qaida
could exploit a journalist with a booby-trapped camera.
In 2001, Taliban used operatives disguised as journalists to assassinate
Afghan rebel commander Ahmed Shah Massoud. Several days later, Al Qaida
conducted the air suicide strikes that killed nearly 3,000 people in the
United States.
The Saudi Information Ministry has confirmed the Al Qaida threat. The
ministry called on editors and reporters to always carry their official press cards
during work.
"This step is aimed at preventing attempts by terrorists to disguise as
journalists to carry out terrorist attacks," the Information Ministry said.
ShareThis
