UK terrorist kidnap plot, including possible torture and beheading of an individual, targeted 25 people

The terrorists planned to videotape the beheading of one of their victims, a British Muslim soldier, and air it on the Internet. Nine suspects were detained at 12 addresses raided in predominantly Muslim districts of the Midlands city of Birmingham before dawn Wednesday, Jan. 31, part of an unfolding nationwide operation by the police counter-terrorist branch and MI5 security service. Homes and businesses were cordoned off for searches, including an Islamic bookshop. Raids were also conducted in Coventry. The local police say the investigation is only just beginning.