NEW YORK, Aug 31: The terror plot uncovered by British authorities that led to worldwide alarm was not imminent as stated earlier and claims that up to 10 planes may have been targeted was exaggerated, said the New York Times on Wednesday.

In an extensive report the paper maintained that the major terrorist plot that was exposed in Britain was not set to take place in the near future as it was publicized; the report also claims that the fact that 10 planes were targeted was an exaggeration.

According to reports, the investigation which is still going on in Britain as well as in other countries, does not reveal if there was any evidence that the suspects who were arrested on August 10 were about to make a hit.

US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff had said: “The suspected plot was getting really quite close to the execution stage.”

The Times said that in interviews with British, European and American authorities revealed: “The plot did not appear to be in its final stages.”