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N0KFQ > TODAY 26.02.13 17:06l 65 Lines 2909 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 36537_KB0WSA
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Feb 26
Path: IZ3LSV<I0OJJ<VE3UIL<N0KFQ<KB0WSA
Sent: 130226/1455Z 36537@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQK1.4.53
...
Feb 26, 1993:
World Trade Center is bombed
A bomb explodes in the parking garage beneath the World Trade
Center in New York City on this day in 1993. Six people died and
1,000 were injured by the powerful blast, which also caused the
evacuation of thousands of people from the Twin Towers.
An informant later identified a group of Serbians in New York as
the culprits. However, when the FBI conducted surveillance of the
gang they found not terrorists but jewel thieves, putting an end
to a major diamond-laundering operation.
Fortunately, investigators at the bomb scene found a section of a
van frame that had been at the center of the blast. The van's
vehicle identification number was still visible, leading
detectives to the Ryder Rental Agency in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Their records indicated that Mohammed Salameh had rented the van
and reported it stolen on February 25.
Salameh was already in the FBI's database as a potential
terrorist, so agents knew that they had probably found their man.
Salameh compounded his mistake by insisting that Ryder return his
$400 deposit. When he returned to collect it, the FBI arrested
him. A search of his home and records led to two other suspects.
Meanwhile, the owner of a storage facility in Jersey City came
forward to say that he had seen four men loading a Ryder van on
February 25. When this storage space was checked, they found
enough chemicals, including very unstable nitroglycerin, to make
another massive bomb. Investigators also found videotapes with
instructions on bomb making that led to the arrest of a fourth
suspect.
Other evidence showed that one of the terrorists had bought
hydrogen tanks from AGL Welding Supply in New Jersey. In the
wreckage under the World Trade Center, three tanks marked "AGL
Welding" were found. In addition, the terrorists had sent a
letter to the New York Times claiming responsibility for the
blast. Portions of this letter were found on a computer desk
taken from a suspect's office. Finally, DNA analysis of saliva on
the envelope matched that of the suspect.
The wealth of evidence resulted in easy convictions, and each of
the men was sentenced to 240 years in prison.
On September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center was again attacked,
when terrorists linked to Osama bin Ladin and al-Qaida hijacked
and flew one jetliner into each tower. Within hours, both towers
had collapsed, killing almost 3,000 people. A third jet was
crashed into the Pentagon, killing almost two hundred people,
including those on board the plane. A fourth hijacked jet,
apparently bound for a second target in Washington, D.C., crashed
into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers--aware of the
attacks in New York and at the Pentagon--attempted to wrest
control of the plane from the hijackers. All aboard were killed.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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