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Manchester attack: Shocking pictures of bomber's home-made nail bomb are leaked

Remnants of what is believed to be the terrorist's backpack: Via: New York Times
Remnants of what is believed to be the terrorist's backpack: Via: New York Times

Chilling photographs that appear to show the nail bomb terrorist Salman Abedi used to kill 22 people in the Manchester concert atrocity have emerged.

The pictures, leaked to the New York Times, show the charred remains of a blue Karrimor rucksack alongside screws and nuts used as shrapnel.

A blood-smeared silver detonator with wires trailing from one end is also seen lying on the floor, and in one photo it is placed alongside a white forensic tape measure.

The photos were published just hours after the Government issued a warning to US officials not to leak details of the terror investigation.

According to the newspaper, British authorities said the supposed detonator was being carried in the bomber's left hand.

This is possibly the trigger switch located in suspect’s left hand (via New York Times)
This is possibly the trigger switch located in suspect’s left hand (via New York Times)

"The apparent detonator, which British law enforcement officials said was carried in the bomber's left hand, is also unusual for a manual detonator in a suicide device, in that it appears to have contained a small circuit board soldered inside one end," the American newspaper reported.

"It is not clear from the law enforcement images if the object was a simple plunger switch, or included a timer or a receiver that could be operated remotely via radio signal - or some combination."

Another image shows the remains of a melted 12-volt battery.

Part of what is thought to be the bomber's backpack (via New York Times)
Part of what is thought to be the bomber's backpack (via New York Times)

Killer Abedi detonated the explosive in the foyer of the Manchester Arena as parents waited to pick up their children from the Ariana Grande concert on Monday.

Among those killed was eight-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos, the youngest victim to be named so far.

12-volt battery thought to be power source for the bomb (via New York Times)
12-volt battery thought to be power source for the bomb (via New York Times)

Others included teenagers Olivia Campbell, Sorrell Leczkowski, Georgina Callander and Nell Jones.

Following the attack, Theresa May on Tuesday night announced the UK’s terror threat has been raised to critical, meaning another attack may be imminent.

Nuts and screws used as shrapnel in Manchester bomb (via New York Times)
Nuts and screws used as shrapnel in Manchester bomb (via New York Times)

Some 984 military personnel are being deployed around the country.

As the police continued a frantic hunt for accomplices of the bomber, Scotland Yard announced that troops were being deployed to guard “key locations” including the Palace of Westminster, embassies and other sensitive sites in major cities.

Abedi’s father and younger brother Hashem Abedi have been arrested in Libya.