Eight Germans, two Brits behind Pak-based Mumbai-style terror threat to Europe

Islamabad, Oct 1(ANI): Eight Germans and two Brits are at the heart of the Al-Qaeda-linked terror plot against European cities, a Pakistani intelligence official has said.

According to the official, Pakistan, Britain and Germany are tracking the suspects and intercepting their phone calls.

"They have been making calls to Germany and London. They have been talking about and looking for facilitators and logistics they need there to carry out terror strikes," The Daily Times quoted the official, as saying.

Although the official categorised the plot as immature, he warned that underestimating the suspects might prove harmful.

"It does not mean that they are not capable of materialising their designs," the official said.

Brit intelligence agencies, including MI6 and GCHQ, have uncovered a plan for co-ordinated terrorist attacks in London, Paris and Berlin, which was plotted in the lawless tribal areas of Waziristan.

The plot follows a different strategy from the suicide bombings associated with Al-Qaeda, as it involves small teams of militants seizing and killing hostages similar to the methods used in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed the lives of 173 people.

It is thought that other cities in Britain, France and Germany could also be at risk, although it has not been disclosed when and where the terrorists were planning to strike.

British terrorism experts said that the plan was still in its early stages, but consider it serious enough for security threat of 'severe' level.

It is the second highest state of alert, which suggests an attack is highly likely. (ANI)