LONDON, Jan 31: Security services arrested nine men in early morning raids on Tuesday what they said was to pre-empt a suspected plot to kidnap and torture a British Muslim soldier recently returned from service abroad, before beheading him live on the internet.

The men were arrested in a series of dawn raids at 12 addresses in Birmingham. The alleged plotters, according to sources, had planned to force their victim to plead for his life in online videos before torturing and executing him.

The beheading would have been shown live on an extremist website.

The target, an unnamed man in his 20s is understood to be under protective custody.

A Home Office 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. This operation is a reminder of the real and serious nature of the terrorist threat we face."

A police spokesman said the men were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

One of the addresses cordoned off is an Islamic bookstore on Stratford Road, Sparkhill.

A man arrested at an address on Jackson Road, Alum Rock, was named locally and is said to be 29.

AFP adds: Ansar Ali Khan, a local councillor, said the people arrested, including in the Alum Rock and Sparkhill areas were British of Pakistani origin.