Wednesday, October 01, 2008

AQ's Newest Weapon: Thermobaric Bomb

Story here (WND "Exclusive"). Emphasis mine.

Investigators now believe the bombing Sep. 21 that killed dozens and left massive damage at the Islamabad Marriott, including a gaping hole in the ground in front of the building, was a crude form of a device that intensifies and enhances an explosive – a thermobaric bomb, according to a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

The bomb was delivered in a truck that contained what investigators believe was aluminum powder in addition to grenades and artillery shells. The aluminum power is believed to have been responsible for the acceleration and expansion of the impact of the bomb.

While barriers around the hotel kept the truck bomb at some distance from the structure, the devastation indicated something raised the destruction level considerably.

(...)

If the analysis of the presence of aluminum powder is confirmed, it means terrorists with the capability can make such bombs without detection, since all ingredients are off-the-shelf.