Mounties nab terror duo plotting train attack in Canada

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say they have arrested two men in connection with a plot to derail a passenger train and disrupt a major North American transportation route running between New York and Toronto in an “al-Qaeda-inspired” terrorist attack.

The RCMP announced on Monday that the two suspects, identified as Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser, 35, were arrested in Montreal and Toronto.

They were charged with “conspiring to carry out an attack against, and conspiring to murder persons unknown for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist group.”

“Had this plot been carried out, it would have resulted in innocent people being killed or seriously injured,” Assistant RCMP Commissioner James Malizia said.

He added that the two suspects had received “direction and guidance” from “al-Qaeda.”

RCMP Chief Superintendent Jennifer Strachan said that the two men watched trains in and around Toronto and were plotting to attack a train operated by the government-owned rail system, Via Rail Canada, in Canada.

The RCMP said that the pair had the ability to carry out their plan, but “there was no imminent threat to the general public, rail employees, train passengers or infrastructure.”

The Mounties also stated that the surveillance operation leading to the arrests of the two suspects was “a result of extensive collaborative efforts.”

The RCMP says the suspects are not connected to the Boston Marathon twin bombings of April 15, which left three people dead and more than 170 others injured.

The suspects will now appear in court on Tuesday for a bail hearing.