Intelligence agencies have reportedly foiled a series of terrorist attacks planned by Pakistan-based Islamists in three European countries. The plotters, thought to be linked to al-Qaeda, were planning simultaneous strikes on several European cities, the British newspaper ‘Daily Mail’ reports. These attacks would have been similar to the commando-style raids carried out in Mumbai, India in 2008, British intelligence sources said.

The latest plot is believed to target Britain, France and Germany. It was unearthed after intelligence sharing between spy agencies from all three countries and the US, the report said. The plot was in the "advanced but not in the imminent stages" and the plotters had been tracked by spy agencies for some time, the intelligence sources said. The revelations may be linked to Tuesday's evacuation of the Eiffel Tower in Paris because of a bomb scare. Last week, French authorities said they had uncovered a suicide bombing plot, linked to al-Qaeda's North African affiliate, to attack the Paris subway system. They said the threat might be connected to France's recent vote to ban the wearing of the Islamic burka.