London, Nov 9 The Scotland Yard has claimed credit for foiling an Al-Qaeda plot to blow up the New York subway three months ago after alerting the FBI.

The Yard's counter-terrorism branch was monitoring an email address uncovered in April's abortive Operation Pathway probe into an alleged UK terror cell, when they intercepted an email, which revealed the terror plot. It immediately alerted the FBI .

Najibullah Zazi, an airport shuttle bus driver, is alleged to have received instructions through the Internet by a senior Al-Qaeda figure in Pakistan.

The investigations led to Zazi being charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. The Afghan is said to have been part of a gang that used stolen credit cards to buy bomb ingredients including nail varnish remover.

The purchased chemicals were similar to those used the 7/7 attack on the London Tube, which killed 52 people.

"This was excellent work and highlights the fact we produce good information. They were delighted with the intelligence we gave them and believe it helped prevent a catastrophic attack," The Sun quoted a British security source, as saying.

US authorities have allegedly found bomb-making instructions on Zazi's laptop, while his fingerprints were found on batteries and measuring scales were seized.

A phone contained a video of New York's Grand Central Station, which he visited a week before his arrest.

According to reports, explosive residue was found in his kitchen. It is believed that Zazi has also visited a terror training camp in Pakistan. (ANI)