The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is warning airlines
that terrorists could implant bombs into passengers' bodies to evade
detection.
"The Department of Homeland Security has
identified a potential threat from terrorists who may be considering
surgically implanting explosives or explosive components in humans to
conduct terrorist attacks," the advisory notice said, as reported by the Daily Telegraph.
The fear could lead to even more intrusive screening at airports, the agency tells the Los Angeles Times.
In a statement issued to NBC News, the Transportation Security Administration said the agency "recently briefed air carriers and foreign partners to provide greater insights into recent intelligence indicating the continued interest of terrorists to target aviation."New intelligence suggests terrorist groups are seriously considering surgical insertion of explosive materials under the skin, where existing scanners cannot detect them, said TSA spokesman Nicholas Kimball.
"These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same activity at every international airport," he said. "Measures may include interaction with passengers, in addition to the use of other screening methods such as patdowns and the use of enhanced tools and technologies."