Jihad-motivated detained for planning terrorist attack at RAF base

After being reportedly caught in charge of a pressure cooker bomb outside a hospital in Leeds, a trainee nurse has emerged in court accused of planning a terrorist attack at an RAF base.

After conducting internet research, Mohammad Farooq, 27, allegedly conducted “hostile reconnaissance” of the military facility in Yorkshire on January 10 and 18. He is accused of being motivated by jihad and extreme Islam.

According to the prosecution, Farooq picked the target because of online encouragement to conduct an attack. He used a pressure cooker, 13.7 kg of a handmade low explosive mixture, and a length of pyrotechnic fuse to build a functional bomb.

He was detained early last Friday outside the St. James’s University Hospital in Leeds maternity ward, where he was scheduled to work a shift. According to reports, Farooq showed a man a gun and told him he “felt like killing everyone” before telling authorities he had a bomb.

His activities at the hospital are allegedly caused by bitterness toward another staff member rather than terrorism. Farooq, a resident of Leeds, appeared in court on Friday from a Bradford police station. He was not asked to enter a request to the three accusations he faces; he only spoke to confirm his name, address, and birthdate.

Farooq is accused of engaging in terrorism between July 12 and January 20 of last year on one count. Prosecutor Mark Luckett also claims that Farooq allegedly got instructions on how to put together a homemade explosive device.

He purchased supplies and manufactured the bomb, conducted online research on the RAF base, and conducted surveillance of the picked target.

He is also accused of having explosives on January 20 with the intent to put lives in danger or seriously damage property. Farooq is also charged with having a Gediz 9mm PAK semi-automatic pistol on the same date.

Paul Goldspring, the presiding magistrate, remanded him in detention because no bail application was made. The Old Bailey will host his upcoming court appearance on Friday.