New York, NY – As US officials proclaim an alleged European terror plot still active, New York City police conducted a drill Thursday that simulated a Mumbai-style attack on civilians on a crowded street in Manhattan’s financial district.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly addressed the media before the drill, which began with two large explosions. “This is what we do,” he explained. “We think the unthinkable.” The drill simulated multiple bombs and shooters, including a bomb under a vehicle, and police responded with helicopters, dogs, automatic weapons and an armored car.
Earlier Thursday, the State Department’s counterterror chief told reports in London that the travel alert issued last week that advised travelers in Europe to be careful was still in effect. “We don’t view the conditions as warranting us rescinding the alert,” said Daniel Benjamin. The alert was issued Oct. 3, when intelligence led authorities to believe a Mumbai-style assault on so-called “soft” civilian targets might be imminent in Europe.