Targeting Railroad Tracks with Thermite Charges
Thermite is a type of pyrotechnic composition often used for welding because of the extremely high temperature it reaches when ignited. Jihadi activists have recently come up with the idea to utilize its properties to derail trains in western countries in a relatively simple plan. To demonstrate the simplicity of the idea, a couple of videos in which Thermite is manufactured and ignited were uploaded by activists to leading Jihadi forums. Prior to this publication, there were no known terror incidents involving Thermite and therefore the possession or manufacturing of Thermite currently isn't considered suspicious. What's more, Thermite can be easily produced in a process that hardly emits any techno-intelligence signatures. As seen in the image, Thermite is produced by mixing aluminum powder and metal oxide, usually iron oxide (rust). Ignition requires high temperatures and therefore usually done using magnesium stripes or a propane torch. In one of the videos uploaded to the forum, a group of young Americans demonstrates thermite's penetration ability, by initiating an aluminothermic reaction (also known as Thermite reaction) over a steel vault. When ignited it produces an enormous amount of heat and melts through the steel vault. Images from the 'experiment' and its results are presented overleaf. Adjacent to these videos is a message posted by one of the forum's members arguing that railroads in America and other western countries should be the first target. The member also specifies the post-operation actions the activists should perform. Following is a translation of this message: Re: Using thermite to blow up railroads in the infidel states and killing hundreds Greetings to you, with Glorious Allah's Mercy and Blessings I hereby submit, administrators, a most important subject. The strategy of the mujahedeen worldwide is spreading individual jihad, which has great destructive effects on the enemy. This is also a way for the whole Community to participate with the mujahedeen in minor ways, but those which have very significant effect on the enemy. Allah Bless you, dearest brother, for your most excellent proposal. Such a jihadi operation in America, Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea or Australia, Should be followed by a phone call or a press release, announcing that Al-Qaeda executed this operation, to retaliate the Crusaders' and Jews' campaign. Although the mastermind and executer is an individual, such an operation may result in killing and injuring 1500 train passengers. By Allah's will, this operation shall be executed. So get to work, ye who live in Europe, America, or the capitals of infidel states attacking Muslim countries: here is a chance to be rewarded in the Heavenly Garden, by Glorious Allah's will. As for the activists' source of inspiration, it's possible that it was the videos themselves, as some of them depict railroad tracks welding. The analysis given by the activists themselves in the forums - that this is an extremely feasible outline for a single activist to execute, bearing a great destructive potential - is very accurate. It is therefore crucial that law enforcement and transportation security personnel in the targeted countries be aware of the potential destructive capabilities of this easily-produced compound. Techno-intelligence signatures such as target intelligence collection on passenger trains (routes, time tables etc) as well as signs to handling of thermite, such as magnesium ignition stripes, molten rails and other metal structures used for tests, should serve as a warning sign for such an attack. . KEY POINTS... . Activists may be trying to derail trains by damaging railroad infrastructure using thermite . Techno-intelligence signatures may be signs of thermite handling, as well as ignition materials . 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