WASHINGTON, June 21: Al Qaeda planned to hijack a plane from London Heathrow Airport in 2003 and smash it into a London skyscraper, a US television network reported on Wednesday, quoting an American government report.

Al Qaeda had also planned in May 2003 to fly “an explosive-laden general aviation aircraft into the US consulate in Karachi,” said the report.

The London attack was one of three Al Qaeda hijack plots foiled, with Australia, the United States and Italy also targets of Osama bin Laden’s group, according to the Department of Homeland Security report cited by ABC television’s website.

The hijackers in the London attack had planned to use cameras to hide bombs and take on stun guns disguised as flash attachments, highlighting Al Qaeda’s search for innovative new ways to strike.

The report said Al Qaeda had planned to hijack planes taking off from London Heathrow Airport and smash them into the airport and a skyscraper in the Canary Wharf financial district of the British capital.

It did not say how the plot was foiled.

ABC did not give details of the planned attacks in Australia, Italy or the US, but it said the US report had concluded there were nine similar plots since the September 11, 2001 attacks.—AFP