Eight held over 'terror kidnap'

Eight terror suspects were arrested in the West Midlands today as police smashed a chilling plot to kidnap and behead a soldier.Click here to watch our exclusive video

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Security sources said an Iraq-style video showing the last moments of their terrified victim, who had been identified, would have been filmed and shown on the internet.

He would have been shown on-line pleading for his life in a haunting echo of the footage of murdered civil engineer Ken Bigley.

A Muslim British soldier in his twenties, who may have served in Afghanistan but whose rank is not known, was in police protective custody today. Sources close to the investigation said they had struck as the plot was nearing fruition.

Counter terrorist officers swooped on a number of addresses in Birmingham at 4am in what Home Secretary John Reid described as a "major national operation".

Twelve addresses were secured and sealed off in the Sparkhill, Washwood Heath, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas of Birmingham and all are currently being searched.

West Midlands Police and Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit officials targeted addresses at Foxton Road and Jackson Road in Alum Rock, Birmingham.

There was also activity at the Khan General Store, on the corner of Foxton Road and Jackson Road. In Sparkhill the Maktabah book store was raided. And at nearby Blade Communications, which is also an internet cafe, officers removed six disk drives and other material in a bin bag. An Islamic book warehouse on the edge of Sparkhill was also raided.

Those arrested, believed to be of Pakistani origin, were held on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2000. The swoop was co-ordinated and lead by the Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, supported by officers from the West Midlands force and Metropolitan Police. Sources said MI5 officers were also in attendance.

Vigilant

One of the men held was named today as Amjad Mahmood, aged 29, son of the owner of Khan General Store.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Joanne Hunt said: "Whilst this operation poses no specific threat to the West Midlands, as a precautionary measure we will have an enhanced police presence at these locations. We would ask for the continued support and co-operation of the public. Our message to people living in the West Midlands is to remain vigilant. Public safety is our absolute priority."

The Home Office said John Reid had been fully briefed on what it described as a nationwide operation. A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a major counter terrorism operation took place earlier today led by West Midlands Police.

"The Home Secretary was fully briefed on the operation and is receiving regular updates as developments occur." She added: "This operation is a reminder of the real and serious nature of the terrorist threat we face."

A number of the eight are being held at a police station in Coventry.

Local councillor Ansar Laikha said he spoke to Mahmood's father Raja Gultasab this morning.

Councillor Laikha said: "I spoke to him this morning. He is really upset and stressed because he does not believe his son was involved in any terrorist activities. He is a hard-working old man who has run a shop for 30-odd years and is well-liked by the people. He is British and proud to be British."