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Al Qaeda plans terrorist acts on European railways

This information allegedly comes through NSA channels

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

BERLIN, August 19. (Itar-Tass) Al Qaeda is planning terrorist acts on European high speed trains, reported German Bild newspaper, citing sources with ties to security agencies. According to the daily, due to this information, German security services are on high alert. Experts believe following scenarios are possible: railway or power line sabotage, detonating explosives on railways or tunnels and planting bombs on high-speed trains themselves.

Bild claimed that information on these planned terrorist acts came through NSA’s channels, which the daily supposes “have listened in on a telephone conversation between high-ranking Al Qaeda members;” its main subject was committing a series of terrorist acts on European trains, the newspaper warned.

Since this information became available to German authorities, the country’s officials started to “take hidden heightened security measures on high-speed long distance trains and Deutsche Bahn terminals”, which include intensified police patrols. Belgian railways have also beefed up security as of early August.

Terrorist threats

Earlier, US Department of State warned the citizens travelling abroad about a potential threat of terror acts in August, especially in the Middle East and in Northern Africa. The Department of State informed it would not open on Sunday 21 embassies and consular sections in the Middle East countries.

Russian experts believe terrorist threat is currently approaching that of September 11, 2001.

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