Two men, allegedly trying to buy guns and grenades, have been arrested for planning terrorist attacks on various centres, including a synagogue, in New York.
"The two men had sought to purchase hand grenades and guns, and they were arrested after what one law enforcement official described as a sting operation, saying that their aims appeared 'aspirational,'" the New York Times reported.
Officials said that the potential terrorists were "homegrown" and one appeared to be of Moroccan descent which the other was of North African descent.
The report stated a case was being prosecuted by the Manhattan district attorneys office, and the law enforcement officials said the men were expected to be charged under New York State's terrorism law.
Mayor Michael R Bloomberg is expected to announce the charges soon. Big terrorism cases are usually handled by the federal authorities such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States attorney's office in federal court.
An official said that the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force, made up of both police and federal agents, had decided not to become involved.
