Al-Qaeda is planning attacks on Europe’s high-speed rail network, according to German tabloid Bild.

Citing intelligence sources, the report says the terrorist group could plant bombs on trains or in tunnels and destroy tracks and electrical cabling.

Bild claims the information came from the National Security Agency in the United States, which had listened to a phone call earlier this month between the al-Qaeda leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri and operatives from the group’s network.

The same call led to the closure of United States embassies and several of its allies in a number of countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

According to Bild, German police have stepped up security measures across their extensive rail network with plain-clothed officers.


euronews