Terrorists wanting to hide explosives in an iPad is one reason behind laptop ban

The recently introduced rule that prohibits some electronics devices from passenger cabins on flights originating from certain countries was prompted, among other reasons, by a plot to hide explosives in a fake iPad.

According to a Guardian report, which cites a security source, there was more than one reason why the laptop ban -- as it's often called -- was introduced in the U.S. and the UK last week. But a plot that aimed to bring down a plane with a fake iPad stuffed with explosives sparked fears that Islamist extremists have found a new way to bring explosives on board.

The report, which offers no other details about the iPad plot, sheds light on the measure that allows laptops and tablets in checked luggage, but not in carry-on luggage, which is the opposite of what some airlines normally demand. A terrorist could cause much more damage by detonating a bomb inside the passenger cabin than in the cargo bin.

The news follows last week's CNN report which claimed that the ban was prompted by the discovery that an al-Qaeda affiliate was working on techniques to hide explosives in batteries and battery compartments of electronic devices. The New York Times published a similar report, claiming that that Islamic State was to blame.

The electronics ban prohibits passengers arriving to the U.S. from certain airports in eight countries -- Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Morocco, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates -- to bring electronic devices larger than a smartphone to the passenger cabin. The ban includes devices such as laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras and even electronic game units (provided they're larger than a smartphone).

In the UK, the similarly worded ban applies to six countries only: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey.

Hiding a bomb that's powerful enough to seriously damage the plane inside of an iPad is possible. In February 2016, a terrorist blew a hole in the side of a Somalian airplane with a bomb hidden inside a laptop; but the blast wasn't powerful enough to kill anyone but the bomber himself.