Shopping center terror threat could be ploy to sow fear, FBI says

An internal Federal Bureau of Investigation memo obtained by a number of major news organizations warns that Al Qaeda terrorists could be plotting an attack on a U.S. shopping center or supermarket. The memo, sent Tuesday to FBI offices nationwide, says the information comes from Abu Zubaydah, allegedly a senior Al Qaeda member, who is in U.S. custody and recovering from gunshot wounds sustained during his capture last month in Pakistan.

Officials stress that the information is unreliable and that the suspect could simply be trying to sow fear; the memo was not intended to be made public, they say. Last week Zubaydah, who allegedly served as chief recruiter for Al Qaeda’s training camps, warned of attacks against banks and financial institutions.