11 planned terror attacks foiled in Germany since 2000

Berlin, March 29: Germany has averted 11 planned terrorist attacks since 2000, the chief of the German Federal Criminal Police Office said on Tuesday.

Europe has suffered a number of major terrorist attacks on its capital cities since the turn of the 21st century. Compared to its European partners, Germany has been mostly unscathed.

In the past 15 years, 11 planned terrorist plots on Germany have been foiled by German security authorities, Xinhua quoted agency head Holger Muench as saying.

"Our current situation is not just luck, but also due to good cooperation between security agencies," Muench said.

The chief warned against an increased risk of attacks in Germany in recent years.

"Europe, including Germany, is among those on the target list of Islamist terrorism," he explained, adding that there were currently around 470 "potential attackers" in Germany who were likely to threaten public safety.

"We are very vigilant," Muench said, although at present "there is no concrete evidence of a terror attack on Germany".

IANS