Al-Qaeda bomb manual published on internet

Al-Qaeda has produced a new bomb-making manual in English with the aim of encouraging self-starting terrorists to launch their own attacks. The 102-page manual, seen by the Daily Telegraph and available on the internet, explains how to find ingredients from everyday sources and how to mix explosives, including those used in the July 7 bombings and the recent ink cartridge bomb found at East Midlands airport. It has been endorsed by two leading al-Qaeda strategists and marks an explicit attempt by the terrorist group to encourage followers to launch their own attacks, without training. MI5 has been increasingly concerned about what Jonathan Evans, the director general, referred to as “determined amateurs” who may radicalise themselves over the internet and learn bomb-making skills without ever coming into touch with al-Qaeda trainers. Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens, an expert in radicalisation at King’s College, London, said the book marked a radical increase in the threat because it was among “the most lengthy and sophisticated manuals of its kind.” Entitled, “The Explosives Course” it says: “This book is aimed for brothers who have a sufficient understanding of the risks in this – both the actual sensitive task of making explosives and of its security risks." The manual lays out the basic equipment needed to set up a bomb-factory and some essential elements of chemistry in order to understand the instructions. Then it explains how to source the ingredients at supermarkets, garden centres and pharmacies, and how to construct homemade detonators, primary and secondary charges...more