Shots have been fired in London as police attempted to arrest a probable suicide bomber at Stockwell Tube station. Eyewitness reports say the man was wearing a heavy coat in summertime and what appeared to be a belt with wires coming out.
"I saw an Asian guy run onto the train hotly pursued by three plain-clothes police officers.
One of them was carrying a black handgun - it looked like an automatic - they pushed him to the floor, bundled on top of him and unloaded five shots into him.
I saw the gun being fired five times into the guy - he is dead," he said.
BBC Home affairs correspondent Margaret Gilmore reports that the man shot was a known suspect that the police had been following. The man ran when challenged, leaping the automatic ticket barriers, the police gave a warning and then shot him. Former Flying Squad officer, John O'Connor explained to the BBC that the police marksmen would be trained to aim for the head as shots to the torso could trigger a hidden explosive device.
Police are also searching an address in London's Harrow Road. Resident Patricia Osbourne said she heard six shots.
Scotland Yard said the raid was one of several taking place in the city after Thursday's attempted bombings.
Fine by me. A perfect example of the pragmatic British approach - if there's no doubt at all that someone is involved in active terrorism then shoot to kill. It's a very direct method of action which succeeded in bringing the IRA to peace talks. No need for invading countries that have little to do with the War on Terror and dragging them into said war in the worse possible way. Just let the terrorist leaders and their minions live in very direct fear themselves for a while. Want to bet Osama preaches a good "martyr" game but doesn't want to go there himself? How about the guy who would get to be leader after Osama gets a Barret .50 round through his skull one dark night, do you think he would be keen to follow?
Georgie, if your guys at the CIA know where in Pakistan Osama is hiding then let the SAS know and bugger Musharaf's feelings. I guarantee there would shortly thereafter be good news of a permanent nature.
Update 12.10pm Central
The BBC is now suggesting very strongly that the shooters were not policemen but plainclothes special forces (read SAS). Anyone recall the 1988 Gibraltar executions of three IRA members who were about to detonate a bomb? There has also been confirmation from experts that the current rules of engagement for handling suicide bombers involve shooting to kill.
Understandably, Moslems are nervous and asking for some reassurance that people of Asian descent aren't going to be shot five times just for carrying a rucksack.
They should be given that reassurance and a complete explanation of the current policy. That would also send a clear message to the extremists that if they are attempting to find martyrdom they may well not find it in the time and place of their own choosing.
Update 23rd July
A police statement now says that the man shot yesterday at Stockwell Tube station was unconnected to the incidents of Thursday 21st July. I still think a "shoot to kill" policy in such circumstances is the right thing to do for the British security forces and explain why in the post above this one.
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