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Inquiry consumes British agencies

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 19, 2006

LONDON - Hundreds of officers from across Britain have joined the investigation into an alleged plot to bomb as many as 10 jetliners bound for the United States, making it one of the largest investigations in British history, police chiefs said Friday.

Employees at every police force in the country are working on the case, and dozens of specialist teams are continuing sweeps of homes, businesses and a stretch of dense woodland thought to hold clues, police said.

Police have carried out searches of about 50 locations in London, High Wycombe and Birmingham and are continuing work at 14 sites.

Also Friday ...

Bombs on trains: German authorities announced that they are searching for two men in a failed terrorist plot involving propane bombs concealed in suitcases that were timed to explode simultaneously on two regional trains in western Germany on July 31.

plane diverted: A British plane operated by Excel Airways made an emergency landing in Brindisi, southern Italy, after the captain reported a bomb threat, but a search of the aircraft turned up no explosives. A passenger had found a note on an airsickness bag that read: "There's a bomb on this aircraft."

threat on taj mahal: Soldiers were on 24-hour guard at India's Taj Mahal after officials received a letter threatening to blow up the monument, officials said. Authorities were investigating a handwritten letter received Thursday - purportedly sent by an al-Qaida supporter - that said the terrorist group planned blasts at the 17th century monument.

[Last modified August 19, 2006, 01:17:33]