LONDON   Some new details are emerging regarding the foiled Al Qaeda plot aimed at targeting European cities with a Mumbai commando-style attack.  

The AP is reporting a Pakistani intelligence officer claims eight Germans and two Britons training with and members of Al Qaeda in Pakistan are tied to the alleged attacks aimed at their home countries.

Our contacts in Germany tell us much of  the “broad brush” information about the plot came from a German of Afghan descent who trained with Al Qaeda and was captured by the US in Kabul in July.

That, linked with surveillance “chatter” and defector details apparently allowed the US to unleash a wave of drone strikes  in the border region reportedly killing one the group mentioned by the Pakistani spy as well as  a key operations chief for Al Qaeda tied to the plot

“The new strategy appears to be pre-emptive drone strikes as the way forward,” London-based international security expert Sajjan Gohel told Fox News, “aimed at ‘nipping in the bud’ even ‘aspirational’ plots.”

CIA Boss Leon Panetta, in Pakistan this week, seems to back up that assessment reportedly saying the drone strikes were delivering “100 per cent results” and would continue.

Officials of countries to be targeted in this alleged plot, including France UK Germany continue to down play its imminence but are clearly paying attention. Especially  because some are reporting terror cells already here are waiting to be activated.

Paris remains on high alert though they claim they’re worried about other terrorists, members of another Al Qaeda faction based in North Africa.

There are also reports the security presence around tourist spots in London frequented by foreigners including Americans has also been boosted. Victoria train station is said to have been evacuated briefly yesterday.

It is a continent remaining clearly on edge.