French Security Agency Thwarts Terror Attack in Orleans – Interior Minister

The French General Directorate for Internal Security foiled a terrorist attack on police officers in the central French city of Orleans, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Tuesday.

PARIS (Sputnik) – As a result of an investigation, which lasted for several months, two suspects were detained last week in the French north-central city of Orleans, the minister said, according to Europe 1 radio station.

Both suspects had been in contact with a French national who is currently in Syria, he added.

The suspected plotters of the attack are described by the Europe 1 radio station as young men aged 24 and 25, originating from Morocco and Togo respectively.

It is the tenth terrorist attack that was prevented by the French intelligence agencies within two years.

France has recently beefed up security and started active nationwide searches for Islamist jihadists and terror acts’ masterminds in the wake of the deadly November 13 attacks in Paris that claimed lives of 130 people.