Police in Norway are on high alert after receiving intelligence that nationals returning from Syria may be plotting a terrorist attack within days against the Scandinavian country.
Information obtained by Norway’s security service, PST, suggests an attack could be imminent, the unit’s chief, Benedicte Bjoernland, said yesterday.
Authorities have strengthened their presence at borders, airports and train stations, and police in all districts are at a heightened state of preparedness.
The alert follows a May attack at the Jewish Museum of Belgium in Brussels by a man authorities said may be the first European jihadist returning from Syria to carry out a deadly mission at home.
Norwegian police estimate that about 50 people seen as posing a threat have left Norway to fight in Syria, and about half of those have since returned, spokesman Trond Hugubakken said.
Police in Oslo have been stationed at parliament, the royal palace and shopping centres. Jewish museums in Oslo and Trondheim closed yesterday. – (Bloomberg)