Terrorism: Two women arrested in New York allegedly plotted to plant bombs in the US

Initial reports indicate the woman may have been linked to terrorist groups

(Getty Images)

Two women were arrested on terrorism charges Thursday in the New York City borough of Queens for allegedly plotting to build and plant bombs in the US, according to a report from NBC New York.

The criminal complaint against the women, Noelle Velentzas and Asia Siddiqui, indicates that Ms Siddiqui previously had been in contact with al-Qaeda, offering her services to the terror group.

John Miller, deputy commissioner of NYPD’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism team, said evidence shows the two women had viewed propaganda from Isis, but that it did not appear they were directly linked to the group.

Ms Siddiqui allegedly was in possession of numerous propane gas tanks along with instructions on how to convert them to bombs. Mr Miller said the women were caught before they could make bombs and that the public was never in danger.

The women had allegedly discussed possible targets, including Herald Square in New York, according to CNN. But they had not devised a specific terror plot and did not have an active bomb.

After more than a year of monitoring by police, they women have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. They are scheduled to appear in Brooklyn federal court later Thursday.