Terror Detectives Find Bomb Kit

Police probing an alleged plot to bring down an airline have found a suitcase containing items which could be used to construct a bomb, the BBC has learned.

Officers have been searching a piece of land called King's Wood in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

A police source told the BBC the case contained "Everything you would need to make an improvised device".

A police spokeswoman said some 49 residential and business premises and one area of woodland had been searched in connection with the inquiry.
She said of that total, 36 searches had finished and 14 remained ongoing, including the search at the wood.

A district judge has granted anti-terror officers an extra seven days to question 21 suspects, and an extra five days to question two.

The 23 suspects in custody in London were arrested in raids in London, High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, and Birmingham last week.

Under the 2006 Terrorism Act the maximum period someone suspected of terrorist activity can be held without charge is 28 days, subject to regular court approval.

It is believed up to 17 people are being held in Pakistan over the alleged plot with two 'British' nationals of Pakistani descent among them.

Pakistani officials said one of the 'Britons', Rashid Rauf, was believed to have links to al-Qaeda, but they released no details about the other 'Briton'.
Mr Rauf is believed to have played a pivotal role in planning the operation, as well as being the go-between between al-Qaeda and the alleged plotters in Britain.
According to the Associated Press new agency, Pakistani officials believe he was the planner of the alleged attacks and recruited people to take part.