Plot foiled: ISIS are said to have been planning an attack in London today
Islamic State had planned to target an Armed Forces Day parade in south London today, it has been claimed.
The
suicide attack was reportedly intended to strike soldiers from the unit
of murdered Lee Rigby - the day after more than 50 people were killed
in terror attacks across three continents, including 38 people in Tunisia.
The majority of those killed at the African beach resort are believed to be British. Follow the latest updates following the Tunisia hotel attack here
The
Sun claims a plot to explode a pressure cooker bomb in London - killing
soldiers and bystanders on the route - failed after one of its leaders
in Syria unwittingly recruited an undercover investigator from the
newspaper to carry it out, the report said.
It is alleged that a
leading figure in IS, whom it named as Junaid Hussain, originally from
Birmingham, told the investigator: "It will be big. We will hit the
kuffar (unbelievers) hard InshAllah. Hit their soldiers in their own
land. InshAllah. Soldiers that served in Iraq and Afganistan will be
present. Jump in the crowd and detonate the bomb.
"They think they can kill Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan then come back to the UK and be safe. We'll hit them hard InshAllah."
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The newspaper said the plot to bomb the parade in Merton,
south west London, was thwarted when it told police and security
services about it.
The parade was targeted because it was closest
to the barracks in Woolwich, south east London, where Fusilier Rigby,
25, was murdered by Islamist extremists in 2013, the newspaper said.
Fusiliers from his regiment, serving Gurkhas and war veterans will be among the 250 marchers, it added.
A
Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The police, together with our security
partners, remain alert to terrorist threats that may manifest here or
where individuals overseas may seek to direct or inspire others to
commit attacks in and against the UK.
"It is always helpful when
journalists share with us information, as The Sun did in this case, that
could indicate terrorist or criminal activity.
"Attacks
yesterday show the global nature of terrorism and the threat level in
the UK from international terrorism remains unchanged at severe.
"While
the UK threat level from international terrorism remains severe, we
would like to reassure the public that we constantly review security
plans for public events, taking into account specific intelligence and
the wider threat.
"Our priority is the safety and security for
all those attending or involved, the public are encouraged to continue
with their plans to attend or take part in events as normal.
"We
would also like to reiterate our long-standing advice to remain vigilant
and alert. As ever we would urge the public to get in touch to report
anything suspicious by calling the confidential anti-terrorist hotline
on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency by calling 999."
Hundreds of events marking Armed Forces Day will take place across the country.
This year's national event is in Guildford in Surrey, where the Duke of York will be in attendance.
A service will be held in Guildford Cathedral and serving personnel, veterans and cadets will parade through the town.
A show at Stoke Park will feature live music and military displays.
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