Al Qaeda Targeting European Trains? Report Claims Terror Group Plotting Against Rail Network

Report: Al Qaeda Targeting European Rail Network
An InterCity Express (ICE) train, operated by Deutsche Bahn AG, arrives at Berlin Central Station, also known as Hauptbahnhof, in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. German gross domestic product rose 0.7 percent from the first quarter and the French economy expanded 0.5 percent, the countries' national statistics offices said today. Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images
An InterCity Express (ICE) train, operated by Deutsche Bahn AG, arrives at Berlin Central Station, also known as Hauptbahnhof, in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. German gross domestic product rose 0.7 percent from the first quarter and the French economy expanded 0.5 percent, the countries' national statistics offices said today. Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Al-Qaeda is plotting attacks on Europe's high-speed rail network, German mass circulation daily Bild reported on Monday, citing intelligence sources.

The extremist group could plant explosives on trains and tunnels or sabotage tracks and electrical cabling, said Bild, Europe's most widely read daily.

Bild said 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, Bild said.

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 the daily.

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.

Copyright (2013) AFP. All rights reserved.

Before You Go

Nasser Al-Wahishi

Al Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

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