Laptop ban on planes came after terrorist's plot to put explosives in electronic device

The ban on carrying some selected electronic devices by the passengers in cabins of flights from certain countries in the Middle East and Africa by the United States and United Kingdom was put considering a previously undisclosed terrorists' plot involving explosives hidden in a electronic device.

The ban came into effect on Saturday and in UK it applies to inbound flights from six countries that are Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey.

In U.S., the ban applies to flights from eight countries Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

The ban has been put on electronic devices such as laptops, games consoles, tablets, and other devices which are larger than a mobile phone.

The Guardian quoted a security source as saying that both bans were the result of a combination of factors and not due to a single specific incident.

Concerns were raised amongst intelligence agencies after failed attempts with shoe bombs and explosives hidden in underwear.

The Intelligence agencies also feared that Islamist groups had found a novel way to smuggle explosives into the cabin area in carry-on luggage.

Earlier, the UK had announced the ban and set the deadline for compliance after a security meeting chaired by Theresa May, with the Department for Transport.

The Department of Homeland of Security had also earlier announced new carry-on restrictions that prevent U.S.-bound passengers from eight Middle Eastern countries from carrying personal electronic devices larger than a smart phone in the passenger cabin.