Sources: Al Qaeda may have made contact in U.S. recently

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Intelligence found in Pakistan suggests that suspected al Qaeda operatives in that country contacted an individual or individuals in the United States in the past few months, according to two senior U.S. government sources.

In addition, two senior Pakistani intelligence sources told CNN that there is evidence at least six individuals in the United States were contacted by Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan, an alleged al Qaeda operative who was recently taken into custody in Pakistan. U.S. officials have not confirmed that information.

A senior military U.S. official said a computer seized from Khan contained hundreds of images, including photographs, drawings and layouts of various potential U.S. targets. Some of the photos were years old, while others had been taken as recently as the past few months, the official said. Some images showed underground garages, leading to the conclusion those areas had been under surveillance.

cnn.usn... ews.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=CNN.com+-+Sources%3A+Al+Qaeda+may+have+made+contact+in%A0U.S.+recently+-+Aug+4%2C+2004&expire=- 1&urlID=11224239&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2004%2FUS%2F08%2F04%2Fterror.threat%2Findex.html&partnerID=2004

My guess is that a 'go' message may have been sent to the operatives within the U.S. to carry out pre-planned attacks. Whether these attacks were aimed at the financial targets we know about, or whether its something totally different, who can tell...

Very Interesting post, I would bet without a shadow of a doubt there are sleeper cells in the country. That is if it really is foreign terrorism as, I have not decided what I believe. My opinion is if we know that something is gonna happen and what they are planning to strike, then it probably won't happen that way now. I think that if I were a terrorist I would rather wait for another target than try and hit a target people are going to be expecting get's hit. Less security around the target, the better chance I have at completing my task.

[edit on 5-8-2004 by USAFSF]