Century of Jihad Read Online Free Page A

pursuing criminals.
    DI Ward turned to acknowledge Ed’s arrival.
    ‘Nice of you to join us. I hope we didn’t interrupt anything.’
    This was typical of Ward’s sarcastic approach to subordinates.
    ‘OK people,’ Ward continued, addressing his assembled team. ‘I have just spoken with DAC Braithwaite. All the indicators are that what we have here is a suicide bombing of the type we have seen here in London before and in other parts of the world. The bomber boarded the train and detonated his device in the tunnel, either intentionally or by accident. Judging from the injuries to passengers, initial forensic examination of the scene and eyewitness accounts, it appears an IED, improvised explosive device, was either being carried by the bomber or worn under his outer garments. It would appear to have been an anti-personnel device, as the explosion itself was comparatively small but a large number of projectiles – ball bearings – have been projected from the device. Colleagues in other teams and from the Security Service are checking on the movements of known and suspect extremists from around the country. CCTV footage is being collected. Ed, I want you and your people to interview passengers here. Somebody may have seen something that may give us a lead. Other teams have been assigned to interview potential witnesses already removed to hospitals.’
    With that DI Ward unceremoniously turned away from the group to talk to a passing member of the forensic team.
    Ed and his team left the platform and climbed the stairs into the daylight and the intense activity outside the station entrance. They immediately commenced the interviewing of passengers from the train still present at the scene. The interviews had to be handled with great sensitivity due to the traumatic events these people had just been through. Most of these potential witnesses had seen nothing untoward in the moments leading up to the explosion, travelling in their own little cocoon as many commuters do. Not seeing, not hearing. However, one young, dishevelled woman, in an obvious state of shock, gave Ed an account of something that had made her uneasy just before the blast.
    ‘There was this young Asian guy. He was standing no more than three feet from where I was standing. It was a real crush. There were other people crammed in between him and me. He was staring right at me. But he seemed to be looking straight through me. His lips were moving constantly, rapidly. It gave me the creeps. I just wanted to get to my station and get away from him. I remember thinking, I hope he doesn’t get off at my stop. Then there was a bright flash. This sudden rush of air, like the train door had opened. I felt something hit me, it sent me hurtling backwards. The next thing I knew I was picking myself up from the floor of the train. It was dark. I could hear the sound of creaking metal; things falling. There were groans. Some people were speaking in hushed tones. I couldn’t stop coughing. I couldn’t catch my breath. I didn’t know what had happened. I thought there had been a crash in the tunnel.’
    ‘Can you give me a description of this young man? Height, build, what he was wearing? Was he carrying anything? Was he on the train before it got to Regent’s Park?’
    ‘He entered the station just ahead of me. He’d just got out of a taxi. I think he was about five feet six, quite short. He was chubby. He wasn’t carrying anything. He was wearing a blue anorak and black jeans. That’s all I can remember. Look, I have to call my mother. Let her know I’m OK.’
    ‘One last question. Do you think you would recognise the man again?’
    The young woman looked at Ed for a moment. She seemed to tremble.
    ‘I can’t see his face clearly, only those eyes staring straight at me.’
    Ed took the young woman’s name and address, and thanked her for her assistance. He told her he would be in touch to take a formal witness statement. The young woman turned and