US officials: Credible terror threat received

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

U.S. officials said Thursday they were investigating a credible but unconfirmed threat that al-Qaida was planning to use a car bomb to target bridges or tunnels in New York City or Washington to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the first tip of an “active plot” around that date.

The Homeland Security Department said the threat is credible and specific but unconfirmed. The nation’s terror-alert level has not changed, but raising it was under consideration Thursday night.

Law-enforcement officials were investigating three people who recently entered the U.S. The threat was received by the U.S. intelligence community late Wednesday night, officials said.

“There is specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information,” said Janice Fedarcyk, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York division. “As we always do before important dates like the anniversary of 9/11, we will undoubtedly get more reporting in the coming days.”

Security has been enhanced around the country in the weeks leading up to the 10th anniversary. Law-enforcement officials have been wary, particularly after information gleaned from Osama bin Laden’s compound in May indicated that al-Qaida had considered attacking the U.S. on the anniversary and other important dates.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters that police there were deploying additional resources around the city but that New Yorkers should go about their business as usual. The city’s observance of the attacks will go on as planned, Bloomberg said.

The FBI and Homeland Security Department issued a joint intelligence bulletin Thursday night to law enforcement around the country urging them to maintain enhanced security and be on the lookout for suspicious activity.