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The Aum Shinrikyo Report: Assessment of a Terror Cult

Standard Tactics and Techniques of Aum Shinrikyo

Aum Shinrikyo typically commits targeted attacks that would fall under the classification of criminal acts rather than terrorism, although they frequently employ terror-like methods. Terrorist attacks committed by Aum are unique in that they do not seek to publicize or take credit for their attacks. The attacks carried out by the cult served to further their campaign to create a pure society, to promote loss of governance by creating chaos, and to convince the Japanese population that it is being targeted by chemical and biological weapons of the US Military.

Aum's attacks are normally carried out by very small groups of cult members. Aum exclusively relies on the use of chemical or biological weapons.
Biological agents known to have been acquired, created or attempted to be created by Aum Shinkrikyo include Anthrax, botuilinum, ebola
No biological attacks known to have succeeded.
Chemical agents created or obtained for use in attacks by Aum: sarin, VX, hydrogen cyanide, phosgene, mustard gas, soman, taburn
Typically a syringe is used to assassinate specific targets with a nerve agent, frequently VX.
Spray nozzles or fans are often used to spread chemical/biological agents.
As the nerve agent sarin creates deadly vapor at normal temperatures and pressure, sarin attacks are usually low-tech and involve puncturing a plastic bag containing sarin.
Remote controlled vehicles have been used to spread chemical/biological agents.
Modified delivery vans are often used by Aum to disseminate chemical/biological agents.
Aum often attempts to use airborne botulinum (although none are known to have succeeded).
Hydrogen cyanide attacks involved use of 2 containers one of sodium cyanide one of hydrochloric acid becoming combined together; sometimes operated by a battery powered time activated blade device to cut the two containers (bags in this case) to allow them to combine.
Attacks that do not specifically target individuals tend to target subway systems or public spaces where many people can be affected by the release of chemical/biological agent in a confined space.
Attackers often wear disguises such as joggers to attack people on the street as not arouse suspicion when running away; or businessmen when attacking a subway.
One known attack against Aum dissident members was carried out using food borne toxins.
Attacks during the night target sleeping people and involve large quantities of chemical agents such as in Mastumoto, Japan.

Source: Chronology of Aum Shinrikyo’s CBW Activities. Monterey Institute of International Studies. 2001

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First Responders at 1995 Sarin Gas Subway Attack