PETN Explosive Found In U.S. Bound Packages

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WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- United States President Barack Obama have dubbed the discovery of the suspicious packages in two cargo planes in Dubai and United Kingdom as a ‘credible terrorist threat’ while U.S. authorities have confirmed that the packages comprised of PETN or pentaerythritol trinitrate, a chemical explosive that is often used by terrorists to carry out attacks. An investigation has been launched in the packages that were found in U.S. bound flights in Dubai and United Kingdom with sources reiterating that initial evidences suggest that the incident was a terror plot by Yemen’s al-Qaida branch.

PETN is the same explosive that was used by show-bomber Richard Reid as well as Nigerian Farouk Abdulmutallab, who attempted to carry out a vicious terrorist attack in 2009 in a Northwest airliner which was on its way to Detroit by hiding the explosive material in his underwear. However, the recent incident has triggered an international security alert once again with President Barack Obama urging the U.S. citizens to have faith in the counter-terrorism efforts that are been taken by his administration. In a press conference that was held at the White House on Friday, the United States president revealed that both the packages were addressed to a Jewish organizations which is located in the Chicago area.

In the meanwhile, United States officials have confirmed that a thorough investigation has been undertaken to ascertain the nature of the substances present in the packages but initial investigation has highlighted that the packages contained PETN. At the same time, U.S. officials have also divulged that the packages also comprised of ‘cell phones’ which might be ‘detonators and timers.’