U.S. on watch ahead of bin Laden anniversary

(CBS/AP) Federal authorities are urging local law enforcement to be vigilant with the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death just days away, but said there is "no indication of a credible threat or plots against the U.S." linked to the May 2 date.

The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Northern Command sent a joint advisory to local and state law enforcement late Wednesday as a reminder that al Qaeda and its affiliates still aspire to attack the U.S.

A law enforcement source told CBS News that there has been an increase of messages to coincide with the first anniversary of bin Laden's death, posted on three or four known Jihadist extremist web forums calling for followers to consider all forms of an attack against transportation, churches and public venues such as theaters and sporting arenas in the United States including unconventional attacks such as chemical or biological.

Although the forums are explicit in aspirations there is absolutely no indication that an attack is planned, the source told CBS News investigative producer Pat Milton. The web site messages are also calling for electronic jihad, low level cyber attacks, such as denial of services, the source told Milton.

In addition, the source told CBS News, there is a "continuous stream of jihadist rhetoric" encouraging followers to duplicate the active shooter style attack in France, in which military and civilian personnel were killed earlier this month. That shooter was believed to have visited a violent jihadist forum before his fatal shootings.

Radical jihadist web sites continue to advocate attacks on American targets and U.S. officials say emerging al Qaeda affiliates like the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Somalia-based al Shabaab may present the greatest danger.

Special Section: The killing of Osama bin Laden

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, has been a persistent concern since 2009, when one of its adherents nearly brought down a jetliner over Detroit on Christmas. In the past six months, counterterrorism officials have seen what they consider an increase in intelligence about potential threats from the group, an intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information told the Associated Press.

Officials are worried that the terror group "intends to advance plots along multiple fronts, including renewed efforts to target Western aviation," according to a joint intelligence bulletin circulated Wednesday from U.S. Northern Command, the FBI and Homeland Security Department.

The terror group has twice tried to attack U.S.-bound flights and is considered the most active al Qaeda affiliate, recruiting Westerners.

Other al Qaeda affiliates, including al-Shabaab in Somalia, have pledged to avenge bin Laden's death. But intelligence officials have not seen signs of current plots against the U.S. Still, officials urged law enforcement to be on the watch.

"We remain concerned that terrorists not yet identified by the intelligence community and law enforcement could seek to advance or execute attacks with little or no warning on or about the anniversary of bin Laden's death," the intelligence bulletin said.

Authorities frequently issue similar advisories ahead of notable events and anniversaries.

The heightened sense of security was also seen overseas, with the the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan releasing a fresh security warning to Americans in that country.

The embassy said on its website Thursday that its employees would be restricted from restaurants and markets in the capital, Islamabad, for the next two weeks.

It didn't say why, but the period covers the first anniversary of the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden as well.

Militants have been known to stage attacks on or close to the anniversary of significant events.

U.S. diplomats already operate under tight security in Pakistan, which is home to an array of violent extremists.

[smirk5]

The Mission to Get Bin Laden if Romney was President:

"This is the President Romney, go ahead with your mission."
5 minutes later
"This is me again, forget it, I don't support going ahead with the mission"
5 minutes later
"Yes, it's me again, did you get him? What? I never said I didn't support the mission."

[jayz1943]

So whose bright idea was it to announce, "The war on terrorism is over"?!

[AOCGUY]

Now why would al-Qaeda attack on the anniversary knowing (espcially since we just broadcast it over the media) when they could select a date with no special significance, The impact would be the same a nd the likelyhood of success greater

[AZH1]

Are these the same Federal authorities that said the war on terror is over?

[RealWorldNow]

Yes, they would be the ones! Stunning isn't it?

[smirk5]

How can you have a war on terror? Terror is a tactic. It's like having a war on flanking maneuvers. It makes no sense. Also, terror is an abstract noun. How do you fight an abstract noun? The "war on terror" was a stupid name designed by stupid people for stupid people.

[john5673]

Bin Laden is dead and buried in the deep sea and time has come that we should also forget him rather than keeping his bhoot (ghost)alive 7-24 and live in constant fear. In reality Bin Laden or his Al-Qaida or Talibans have killed very few Americans compare with our own medicines, doctors, pharmacists and roads are killing every minute. Looks like; politicians and security equipment and organizations for their own benefits are not allowing Bin Laden to die from the hearts and minds of Americans and force them to live in constant fear and desperate.