SAS ‘Blue Thunder’ unit flown in to hunt for terrorists after one was feared to have ‘slipped through the net’ following London Bridge terror attack
The unit hit the capital streets from their Hereford HQ to join the hunt for the deadly attackers
MEMBERS of an elite SAS unit was flown into London Bridge to help track down terrorists feared to be on the loose after the bloodbath.
Some of the 70-strong 'Blue Thunder' squad - named for the unmarked helicopter they use for operations - flew in from their Hereford HQ to join the hunt on Saturday night before police confirmed that all the attackers were shot and killed at the scene.
The squad is believed to have been named after the 1980's US television series of the same name which featured a similar helicopter.
Did you see the London Bridge terror attack, or know anyone involved? Please contact The Sun newsdesk on 020 7782 4100, text 07423720250 or email [email protected]
While it was initially feared as many as five terrorists carried out the attack, police later confirmed a group of only three wearing stabproof vests launched a vicious knife attack on drinkers at the Wheatsheaf pub in Borough Market shortly after a van mowed down pedestrians on nearby London Bridge.
It is understood that three of the terror gang were shot or captured at the scene by armed cops.
But one of the terrorists was feared to have slipped away, which sparked a major police operation to safeguard people in the area before it was confirmed the third suspect had also been killed.
SAS troops used to carrying out raids following the Manchester bombing are said to have joined police in the massive manhunt for the missing terrorists.
After the attack in Manchester, SAS troops were drafted in to help with police raids.
Cops went into nearby bars and restaurants and ordered drinkers and diners to take cover under tables and not to move from the premises.
Nearby offices, including The Sun, went into lockdown as the area was sealed off.
People out in the streets were also marched along Borough High Street by police with their hands in the air, amid fears the terrorists could have been trying to mingle with them to get through the dragnet.
When revellers were asked if they had been told to put their hands up, one said “no” but added “it seemed like the right thing to do” and they had seen other people doing it. Later, batches of people were escorted over London Bridge by police.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The Metropolitan Police are responding to the horrific terrorist attack at London Bridge and Borough Market.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected, and I’d like to thank the brave men and women of our emergency services who were first on the scene and will be working throughout the night.”
“The situation is still unfolding and I would ask all Londoners and visitors to our city to remain calm and vigilant.”
The horror incident in the capital came 12 days after the Manchester terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert, which killed 22 people.
Twisted killer Salman Abedi blew himself up as streams of young children and parents left the US singer’s gig at the MEN Arena on May 22.
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The attack sparked a full-scale police and Army response, with British soldiers patrolling key London landmarks and armed cops guarding beaches, town centres and train stations.
But tactically, the events of last night copied Khalid Masood’s Westminster attack on March 22.
Five people died when he mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before running into the grounds of Parliament and stabbing PC Keith Palmer, 48, to death.
Last night’s attacks were carried out by a terrorist network and counter-terrorist cops and MI5 spooks will be carrying out urgent checks to see if any of them are linked to Abedi or Masood.
Police said they had made “immense progress” into the Manchester investigation, arresting more than a dozen people all across the UK.
A shocking uplift in terrorist attacks in the UK this year have raised fears that Islamic State leaders have singled out Britain to be their next major target following their campaigns of violence in France, Belgium and Germany over the last two years.
The Manchester bombing led to the terrorist threat level being raised to critical — meaning an attack was seen as imminent by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre.
It led to the military being drafted in to free up police firearms resources and provide a ring of steel at many of the UK’s most iconic sites. But the threat level was dropped a week ago to “severe” — meaning an attack is highly likely — following arrests of Abedi’s associates and the recovery of explosive chemicals.
Theresa May later announced the heavy military and police presence would slowly be scaled back from the start of this week.
However, last night’s attacks is certain to lead to the threat level being raised to “critical” again.
This move will be sure to turn the UK into a fortress as the nation gears up for next Thursday’s General Election.
The security services recently announced they were involved in around 500 terror probes and monitoring up to 3,000 potentially violent extremists in the UK.
They warned just this week about the massive task of preventing atrocities on British soil in the wake of Manchester.
Since that attack — which was the worst terror on British soil since 7/7 — it has emerged security agencies missed numerous chances to stop suicide bomber Abedi.
Among at least five wasted opportunities were a relative telling MI5 this year he was “dangerous” and a neighbour reporting suspicious activity five years ago.
It is now known Abedi left the UK and travelled to Libya a month before his attack, buying parts for the nail bomb he used to kill people before building it on his return.
Did you see the London Bridge terror attack, or know anyone involved? Please contact The Sun newsdesk on 020 7782 4100, text 07423720250 or email [email protected]