The Rest Is Classified 64. Terror Strikes London: The Al-Qaeda Mastermind (Ep 3)
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Jul 13, 2025 A chilling transformation takes place as two British men evolve from sympathizers to would-be suicide bombers. Their journey into radicalization unfolds in the lawless tribal areas of Pakistan, guided by a mysterious figure with al-Qaeda ties. The podcast reveals insights into the covert meetings and bomb-making training that prepare them for their deadly mission. Meanwhile, MI5 grapples with the complexities of tracking these threats and the challenge of preventing future attacks in a community grappling with extremism.
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Rashid Raouf's Role in Recruitment
- Rashid Raouf, a British-Pakistani, fled Britain after a family stabbing and became a jihadist recruiter in Pakistan.
- He connected British recruits like Mohammed Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer to Al-Qaeda's operational commanders.
Suicide Attacks as Worship
- The bombers perceived suicide attacks as a form of religious worship leading to paradise.
- From their perspective, killing was an intimate act of worship, not mere violence.
Unique Bomb Making Expertise
- The bombers were taught to make unique hydrogen peroxide devices by a Syrian bomb maker in Pakistan.
- This expertise explained why the Metropolitan Police had never previously seen such bombs in the UK.
