FBI warns of possible suicide attacks
From Kelli Arena
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI is warning state and local partners to be on the alert for suicide bombers.
The bureau says there is no hard intelligence warning of any plans by terrorists to launch suicide attacks in the United States, but wants those on the front lines in the war on terror to be aware of such a threat.
In its weekly bulletin distributed to 18,000 agencies, the FBI says to look out for people wearing bulky jackets on warm days, smelling of chemicals, or even individuals whose fists are tightly clenched.
The bulletin also says suicide bombers may disguise themselves in stolen police uniforms or even as pregnant women.
The FBI has warned before of possible suicide bombings, but officials tell CNN extremist rhetoric following reports of abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, as well as concern over several special events coming up in the United States, have renewed concern. Those special events include the official opening of the World War II memorial in Washington, the July Fourth holiday and the Democratic and Republican conventions.
Officials say suicide bombers are often impossible to detect. There is usually no advance intelligence and so-called soft targets such as shopping malls are nearly impossible to protect from such an attack.
