More
- Classifieds
- Cars
- Deals
- Real Estate
- Rentals
- Photos
- Blogs

In the News

D.C. Metro stations allegedly targeted in bomb plot

Federal law enforcement authorities have arrested a Northern Virginia man in connection with a plan to attack several stations.

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

Members of the FBI Terrorism Task Force and Loudoun County Sheriffs Department and Virginia state troopers search the home of Farooque Ahmed, who is accused of planning attacks on the Arlington Cemetery, Pentagon City, Crystal City and Court House stations.

Tracy A Woodward / Washington Post

A woman, who works as a nanny, came by Ahmed's Ashburn home to take pictures. Ahmed was arrested in Herndon at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday.

A woman, who works as a nanny, came by Ahmed's Ashburn home to take pictures. Ahmed was arrested in Herndon at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday.

Tracy A Woodward / Washington Post

Police search the house of Ahmed, who allegedly agreed to conduct video surveillance of the Metro stations and suggested the best time to attack and the best locations to place explosives to maximize casualties.

Police search the house of Ahmed, who allegedly agreed to conduct video surveillance of the Metro stations and suggested the best time to attack and the best locations to place explosives to maximize casualties.

Tracy A Woodward / Washington Post

Barbi Shires, Ahmed's next-door neighbor and a resident of the Ashburn neighborhood for 16 years, said that she occasionally exchanged greetings with Ahmed but that they never got together socially.

Barbi Shires, Ahmed's next-door neighbor and a resident of the Ashburn neighborhood for 16 years, said that she occasionally exchanged greetings with Ahmed but that they never got together socially.

Tracy A Woodward / Washington Post

Officials stressed that the public was never in danger.

Officials stressed that the public was never in danger.

Tracy A Woodward / Washington Post

The Arlington Cemetery Metro was among sites allegedly targeted.<br>
<br>Farooque Ahmed of Ashburn conspired with people he believed to be al-Qaeda operatives to attack stations with a goal of high military casualties, the indictment said.

The Arlington Cemetery Metro was among sites allegedly targeted.

Farooque Ahmed of Ashburn conspired with people he believed to be al-Qaeda operatives to attack stations with a goal of high military casualties, the indictment said.

Gerald Martineau for The Washington Post

A member of the counterterrorism team conducts a regular inspection at the Arlington Cemetery Metro.

A member of the counterterrorism team conducts a regular inspection at the Arlington Cemetery Metro.

Gerald Martineau for The Washington Post

'Today's case underscores the need for continued vigilance against terrorist threats and demonstrates how the government can neutralize such threats before they come to fruition,' one national security official said Wednesday.

"Today's case underscores the need for continued vigilance against terrorist threats and demonstrates how the government can neutralize such threats before they come to fruition," one national security official said Wednesday.

Gerald Martineau for The Washington Post

Besides Arlington Cemetery, other alleged Metro targets listed in the indictment were Pentagon City, Crystal City and Court House.

Besides Arlington Cemetery, other alleged Metro targets listed in the indictment were Pentagon City, Crystal City and Court House.

Gerald Martineau for The Washington Post

Some Metro riders said the regular presence of security officials made them confident that an attack would be foiled before it could happen.

Some Metro riders said the regular presence of security officials made them confident that an attack would be foiled before it could happen.

Gerald Martineau for The Washington Post

The planned attack was not imminent, officials said.

The planned attack was not imminent, officials said.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

The suspect, Farooque Ahmed (not pictured), was the subject of an undercover sting operation, officials said.

The suspect, Farooque Ahmed (not pictured), was the subject of an undercover sting operation, officials said.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

Farooque Ahmed's arrest is the latest in a series of cases involving U.S. citizens, including another Pakistani American who was convicted of planning to set off a car bomb in Times Square.

Farooque Ahmed's arrest is the latest in a series of cases involving U.S. citizens, including another Pakistani American who was convicted of planning to set off a car bomb in Times Square.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

The indictment alleges that Farooque Ahmed agreed to conduct video surveillance of Metro stations, suggested the best time to attack and the best place to place explosives to maximize casualties.

The indictment alleges that Farooque Ahmed agreed to conduct video surveillance of Metro stations, suggested the best time to attack and the best place to place explosives to maximize casualties.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

'Farooque Ahmed is accused of plotting with individuals he believed were terrorists to bomb our transit system, but a coordinated law enforcement and intelligence effort was able to thwart his plans,' said David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security.

"Farooque Ahmed is accused of plotting with individuals he believed were terrorists to bomb our transit system, but a coordinated law enforcement and intelligence effort was able to thwart his plans," said David Kris, assistant attorney general for national security.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

Metro security includes dogs that can alert officers to suspicious materials.

Metro security includes dogs that can alert officers to suspicious materials.

Robert A. Reeder / The Washington Post

In 2005, responding to a deadly terrorist attack during morning rush hour in London, the United States raised the threat level for mass transit -- deploying armed patrols in some areas.

In 2005, responding to a deadly terrorist attack during morning rush hour in London, the United States raised the threat level for mass transit -- deploying armed patrols in some areas.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Farooque Ahmed, not shown, was arrested early Wednesday. The 34-year-old is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan.

Farooque Ahmed, not shown, was arrested early Wednesday. The 34-year-old is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

The alleged attack plan involved trains on the Orange and Blue lines, including the Court House stop.

The alleged attack plan involved trains on the Orange and Blue lines, including the Court House stop.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

The suspect, not shown, first drew the attention of law enforcement officials by seeking to obtain unspecified materials.

The suspect, not shown, first drew the attention of law enforcement officials by seeking to obtain unspecified materials.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

The suspect, not shown, faces terrorism charges at U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

The suspect, not shown, faces terrorism charges at U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

Frank Johnston / The Washington Post

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

TV presenter and conservationist Anneka Tanaka-Svenska wears a hat designed by Louis Mariette during the first day of Royal Ascot, in Berkshire, west of London, on June 18, 2013. The five-day meeting is one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711 and tradition is a hallmark of the meeting. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course while a daily procession of horse-drawn carriages brings the Queen to the course. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

Photos of the day

Royal Ascot, protests in Brazil, Lego exhibition, flooding in India, Cheetah-Cub robot and more.

Two-year old male rat named Dyatlik wears a costume during a rodent exhibition in Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, June 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Rodent exhibition, swimming with elephants, Mexico’s feline mayoral candidate and more.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Johnathon Carrington, valedictorian at Dunbar High School, laughs with family and friends after his school's graduation ceremony at Howard University on Friday, June 14, 2013, in Washington, DC. Carrington, who grew up in Tyler House public-housing apartments and is graduating from one of DC's low-performing high schoolsy, where academic expectations are high. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Johnathon’s journey

Johnathon Carrington graduated Friday as the valedictorian of his neighborhood school, Dunbar High, and is headed to Georgetown University. But Carrington, 17, is nervous, and so are...

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 18: Madonna attends the Dolce & Gabbana and The Cinema Society screening of the Epix World premiere of 'Madonna: The MDNA Tour' at The Paris Theatre on June 18, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Madonna, Michael Buble, Barbara Streisand, Jackie Chan, Jerry Seinfeld, Estelle and other celebrities.

Inmates walk at a high-security male prison camp outside Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk May 14, 2013. High-security male prison camp number 17 is intended to house male inmates who are serving a sentence for the first time, and have been convicted for serious crimes. Prisoners at the facility work in wood and metal processing shops, manufacture furniture, sew clothes and do other kinds of work. They can also take part in educational, sport and cultural programs. Picture taken May 14, 2013. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin (RUSSIA - Tags: CRIME LAW SOCIETY) ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 4 OF 29 FOR PACKAGE 'INSIDE SIBERIA'S PRISONS' SEARCH 'ILYA PRISON' FOR ALL IMAGES

Life in a Siberian prison

A look inside a high-security prison camp outside Krasnoyarsk, Russia

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Reenactors dressed as knights stage a medieval jousting competition at Eltham Palace on June 16, 2013 in Eltham, England. The 'Grand Medieval Joust' event at Eltham Palace, an English Heritage property which was the childhood home of King Henry VIII, aims to give a great insight into life at the palace during the medieval period. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

The Grand Medieval Joust

The Grand Medieval Joust at Eltham Palace, an English Heritage property that was the childhood home of King Henry VIII, aims to lend insight through reenactment into life at the palace...

In this June 8, 2013 photo, youth compete in the Sao Carlos slum local soccer tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The pitch is just dirt and the incandescent lights aren't so bright. But when the boys' feet strike the football in the Sao Carlos slum as night falls every Saturday, big league dreams glow, inflated by the hope of escaping the shantytown with sporting skills. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Brazil’s other soccer fields

With the Confederations Cup opening this week and the World Cup one year away, all eyes are on Brazil, where soccer is arguably played with more passion and art than anywhere else....

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: John F. Tatum Sr. hugs his grandson John F. Tatum III during his annual Father's Day block party on Sunday, June 16, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

Father’s Day picnic in Northeast D.C.

A decades-old backyard barbecue in Northeast Washington draws hundreds in honor of dads everywhere. “It’s off-the-chain fun,” says Butch McNair, who has worked one...

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.