US warns of possible smuggling of explosives, tells airlines to be vigilant

A UNITED States advisory to airlines flying to Russia for the Sochi Winter Olympics, warning of possible explosives smuggled on board in tubes of toothpaste or cosmetics, has raised security concerns in Asia, Europe and elsewhere.

Tight screening of passengers and cargo remains in place at major airports on both continents, after the warning from the US Homeland Security Department.

Counter-terrorism experts are urging governments to take the warning seriously, given that it comes amid fresh intelligence pointing to both the Al-Qaeda and Chechen-linked groups working to disrupt the Games.

… “The warning must be taken seriously,” said Singapore-based counter-terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna, currently in the US.