The confirmed number of deaths at this moment is 33, with about 350 wounded. This excludes the number of those killed on the double-decker bus. While rescue operations are the highest priority, it is vital for the government to react immediately to prevent the escape of terrorist who conducted today’s attacks.
Wretchard at Belmont Club speculates on the size and experience of the al Qaeda strike team.
By implication the personnel involved received some degree of training and planned the operation in sufficient secrecy to prevent British security services from getting wind of it. The six attacks probably mean that a minimum of forty persons were involved, if those in support roles are included. The attackers must have an egress plan or access to safe houses where they can weather the inevitable crackdown.
As Britain is an island nation, it is a bit easier to secure the points of exit compared to most nations with land routes to their neighbors. The main points of exit are the airports, the Chunnel and various maritime options including ferries and private boating. If the points of egress are effectively closed down or tightly monitored, the culprits will be forced to go to ground in country (assuming they haven’t already escaped). European countries have raised their level of security, which will include keeping a closer watch on transportation systems. The murderers can hunker down in safe houses, but only for so long.
It has been reported (but not confirmed) that an unexploded bomb was discovered at Baker Street, and a suspicious package was recovered at Stockwell Station. Several backpack bombs were discovered after the 3-11 Madrid bombings, and yielded critical clues (design, components, finger prints) about the origins of the bombs and their creators and wielders. It will be interesting to see if al Qaeda learned from these mistakes and covered their tracks. Video recordings from the train stations may also provide a clue as to the identity of the operatives.
Britain is about to conduct one of the most comprehensive manhunts in its history. Known Islamist usual suspects will be shaken down hard for information leading to the culprits (Human Rights Watch and others permitting, that is). The Home Office is immediately redeploying officers assigned to provide security for the G-8 summit. According to the BBC; “many of the 1,500 Metropolitan Police officers in Scotland would be urgently redeployed to London.” This will reduce the size of the security detail at the summit, which has encountered its own problems with violent protests.
It is difficult to look for silver linings at a time of such grief and loss. Britain can avenge these brutal attacks by ruthlessly pursuing and dismantling the Islamist networks in country. Hopefully the information gained can assist in exposing other dangerous support and execution cells in Europe and beyond. It is small solace for those who have experienced the tragedy of senseless terrorism, but the hard work needs to be done to bring these murderers to justice.
