Terror suspects 'were planning dirty bomb'

British authorities believe that the terrorist suspects arrested in southern England last week were planning to make a bomb that would include a highly toxic, easily obtained chemical called osmium tetroxide, the US network ABC reported last night.

British authorities believe that the terrorist suspects arrested in southern England last week were planning to make a bomb that would include a highly toxic, easily obtained chemical called osmium tetroxide, the US network ABC reported last night.

Eight British citizens of Pakistani descent were arrested and taken into custody when 700 police raided 24 locations in and around London on March 30.

According to ABC's prime time Nightly News, police - who had been tracking the group's activities for several months - moved in when electronic intercepts revealed that the dangerous chemical was involved in the plot.

Sources told the network there were signs the group in custody was targeting Gatwick airport, public transport in the London area and enclosed shopping centres. British authorities believe the thwarted attack had the potential to be one of the worst ever in the UK.

Used primarily in laboratories for research, osmium tetroxide attacks soft human tissue and can blind or kill anyone who breathes its fumes.

In the United Kingdom, authorities say the operation was being run out of Pakistan by a suspected al-Qa'ida figure. "They are creative in their planning," one expert said.

Police were granted more time last night to question the nine men arrested in the south east of England last week under the Terrorism Act.