TEMPO.CO, Ottawa – Two men were arrested and accused of planning a terrorist attack to a passenger train on Monday evening local time in Canada. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as quoted by the Guardian, mentioned that the attack was supported by the Iranian based terrorism organization Al-Qaeda. The arrest was a part of a nationwide security investigation codenamed "Project Smooth" that was started in August 2012.
Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser, 35, living in Montreal and Toronto, planned to derail the Via Rail train in Toronto. Doug Best, inspector from RCMP said, "It is the first real threat of Al-Qaeda in Canada."
James Malizia, RCMP Commissioner Assistant, said that both men had received orders and guidance from "Iranian based Al-Qaeda elements," though there was no strong reason to believe that the plan was sponsored by the nation.
Furthermore, the suspects were reported to not receive financial support from Al-Qaeda. Jennifer Strachan, the Chief Supervisor of RCMP, said, "We declare that both suspects have taken steps to conduct a terrorist attack. They have observed both the train and the railway."
GUARDIAN| ABDUL MANAN
