Terror threat

Possible al-Qaida terror threats around Election Day investigated

U.S. counterterrorism and homeland security officials say they are aggressively investigating intelligence suggesting the al-Qaida terror group may be plotting to launch attacks in New York, Virginia and Texas before Tuesday’s presidential election.

But so far, officials have not been able to confirm a credible plot in any of the locations.

Authorities familiar with the allegations indicate the threat originated from signals intelligence (SIGINT) intercepted overseas. A law enforcement source tells WTOP “chatter was picked up from alleged al-Qaida supporters suggesting attacks in those locations might be attempted.”

SIGINT is intelligence derived from electronic signals and systems used by foreign targets, such as communications systems, radars and weapons systems.

A senior law enforcement official told WTOP “Washington is in a slightly elevated counterterrorism posture.”