Report: Al-Qaeda Plotting Attack in European Trains

Local Editor

German mass circulation daily Bild reported on Monday that al-Qaeda is plotting attacks on Europe's high-speed rail network.

Based on intelligence sources, the famous Bilad daily mentioned that "the extremist group could plant explosives on trains and tunnels or sabotage tracks and electrical cabling."

It further mentioned that the information came from the National Security Agency [NSA] in the United States, which had listened in to a conference call involving top al-Qaeda operatives.
"The attacks on Europe's rail network was a central topic of this call," Europe's most widely read daily unveiled.

Authorities in Germany have responded to the threat with discrete measures such as deploying plain-clothed police officers at key stations and on main routes, according to Bilad.

According to US media reports, intelligence services intercepted a conference call earlier this month between al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and more than 20 operatives from across the group's global network.
This prompted the US and several allies to shut embassies across the Muslim world, fearful of a major attack.

On August 1, the US issued a worldwide alert, warning of al-Qaeda plans to launch an attack in the Middle East or North Africa.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team