Security Officials Concerned About Retaliation Attacks Following Bin Laden's Death

Dana Hertneky, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The day after U.S. forces kill Osama bin Laden there is new concern about retaliation attacks.

State and National Homeland security officials warn bin Laden's death will likely inspire extremists to try to carry out attacks in the near future.

Intelligence officials aren't so much worried about the core al-Qaida group but spinoff groups or individuals who could use bin Laden's death as an excuse to attack.

Officials believe airlines, mass transit and U.S. government facilities will continue to be attractive targets for terrorists.

"Retaliation is always an option," said Kim Carter, who heads up the State of Oklahoma's Office of Homeland Security. "It only takes one extremist who is willing to view Osama as a martyr, make him something he's not and willing to take action."

Carter is urging law enforcement, security officials and the public to have a heightened sense of awareness for the next few weeks.

"People who may want to retaliate will want to strike quickly while it's still fresh in other people's minds," he said. "How they will do that, who knows. There's lots of ways they can attack us."

At Tinker Air Force base, security has been increased and base officials are asking all personnel and family members to be on the lookout and report any suspicious activity.

That's what officials at the airport are asking of passengers as well.

"Pay attention because part of anybody's security plan is the people that are around you," said Karen Carney, a spokesperson for Will Rogers World Airport.