Canadian terror plot leader pleads guilty

Toronto: Fahim Ahmad, the ringleader of Canada's famous Toronto-18 terror plot, pleaded guilty on Monday.

In what could have been Canada's 9/11, the plotters had planned to storm and blow up the nation's parliament in Ottawa, take leaders hostage and behead the prime minister. They had also planned to drive explosive-laden trucks into the offices of the Canadian spy agency, the Toronto Stock Exchange and a military base here.

The plot was unearthed in June 2006 with the help of a mole who was paid more than $4 million by police. 18 Muslims, mostly of Pakistani origin, were arrested from the Toronto area.

Aiming to take revenge for Canada's participation in the Afghan mission, the men had undergone training in a winter camp far away from Toronto in December 2005.

One of the masterminds, 24-year-old Zakaria Amara, was jailed for life in February. Others have been given light sentences and let off. Seven have charges stayed against them.

Fahim Ahmad, 25, Steven Chand, 25, and Asad Ansari, 29, went on trial last month.

On Monday, Ahmad admitted he wanted to blow up civilian, nuclear and military targets and take leaders hostage to force Canada to pull out of Afghanistan.

The terrorist leader had procured firearms for his group, arranged training camps and prepared videos to inspire his band as well as jihadists abroad. In one, he says, 'Victory is near...Our mission is great, whether we get arrested, tortured or killed...Rome has to be defeated.''

The court heard how his men were arrested at the border trying to smuggle guns from the US, and how he revealed to the police mole his plans to hit nuclear and military bases.

Though two other accused still remain to be convicted, the guilty plea by the ring leader almost brings the curtain down on what could have been the worst-ever terror attack on Canadian soil.