British police foil "terrorist plot to blow up planes"

Chalk up another win for the good guys:

A terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the UK to the US has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said.

It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on aircraft in hand luggage.

Police have arrested about 18 people in the London area after an anti-terrorist operation lasting several months.

Security at all airports in the UK has been tightened and delays are expected. MI5 has raised the UK threat level to critical - the highest possible.

According to MI5's website, critical threat level means "an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK".

[...]

Scotland Yard said in a statement that their investigation into the alleged plot was a "major operation" which would be "lengthy and complex".

More on this story, which I'm sure we'll be hearing quite a bit about in the morning, here, here, and here. Jeff, Ace and Allah note that the men arrested seem to be (gasp!) British-born Pakistanis. Shocking, I know. I bet you were expecting the IRA.

Meanwhile, there's no mention of the story here as I write this. I'm sure you're just as surprised as I am.

Any bets on who's going to be the first to Question the Timing™?