UK: 'Cargo Plane Bombs Designed to Explode Mid-Air'

Parts of a printer which was contained in a package intercepted by Dubai security officials. The US-bound parcel contained a bomb hidden in a printer and bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida, Dubai police said

Hmmmmm:

Guardian

Sophisticated bombs contained in packages sent from Yemen were designed to explode in the air and bring down the cargo planes carrying them, UK security officials have confirmed.

Intelligence experts believe the use of the devices, contained in printer cartridges despatched on two Chicago-bound cargo planes, represents a shift in terrorist tactics to commercial targets.

Both devices, one discovered in the hold of a plane that landed at East Midlands airport after flying from Cologne, the other in a plane in Dubai, were described as "extremely professional" by intelligence officials.

One of the devices was linked to a mobile phone, while the other was attached to a timer. The Observer understands that the East Midlands device was so sophisticated an initial examination by forensics experts initially suggested it did not contain explosives.

"Even when it was examined, the sniffer dogs couldn't detect it," a security source said. "It was only when they [forensics experts] had a second look at it they realised what it was."[Emphasis mine..ed]

Meantime Yemeni President Saleh is in damage control mode

Previous [Jawa Report]:
Yemen Arrests Two Women in Air Cargo Bomb Plot, Seizes 26 Packages
Election Weekend Terrorist Threat
Police Investigate Bomb Threat At Phila. Airport (UPDATE: And Newark)[UPDATE: Intended for Synagogues in Chicago][10-20 Packages][Plane escorted by F-15s][2 PACKAGES FOUND WITH EXPLOSIVES?!?!?!]

Cross posted at the Jawa Report