Pakistani terrorists in the UK

POLICE SEIZE EXPLOSIVES

Eight men are continuing to be being questioned over an alleged plot to unleash a terrorist bombing campaign in Britain.

Detectives found more than half a ton of ammonium nitrate fertiliser - the same explosive ingredient already used in terror attacks in Bali, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Africa and the United States.

It was the biggest seizure of potential bomb-making material since the IRA suspended its terror campaign in 1997.

Police and security chiefs believe a series of "spectacular" terror attacks including truck bombs could have been launched within weeks.

It could have been used to target "postcard" monuments like Downing Street and Parliament or "soft" targets like pubs, nightclubs and shopping centres.

The suspects, aged between 17 and 32, are all British citizens and Muslims of Pakistani descent, sources said.

They were held on suspicion of "being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism" in dawn raids by 700 police officers at 24 addresses across London and the Home Counties.

Scotland Yard's Anti-Terrorist Branch and MI5 have been gathering intelligence on the group for months in an operation codenamed Crevis.