Abdelhamid Abaaoud: Paris terror attack mastermind's UK visit uncovered

Months ahead of the deadly Paris terror attacks in which 130 people were killed, alleged mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud had visited the UK seeking "logistical support" from British jihadists. The Belgian, who was killed in a police raid on 18 November at an apartment in Saint-Denis (France) is believed to have arrived in Kent and then travelled to London.

The 28-year-old had reportedly met Moroccans living in Alum Rock and Bordesley Green areas in Birmingham in August this year. Despite being on the international terror watch list, Abaaoud managed to enter the country on a fake passport and got in touch with a network of associates.

He is thought to have stayed in the UK for a short period of time, but then left the country. Previously, West Midlands Police had said Abaaoud had an image of Birmingham's Bullring on his smartphone. Police said on 20 December that there were pictures of other "key and sensitive sites" on his handset as well.

Soon after the images were revealed, an alert was issued by the police, asking citizens to remain alert and report suspicious activities.

Abaaoud was from Molenbeek district in Brussels and had travelled to Syria in 2013 to join Islamic State (Isis) militants while fighting against President Bashar al-Assad.

He then returned to Belgium and had planned a few attacks there. He later travelled to some other countries before moving to Paris to carry out the deadly attacks at the football stadium, bars and the concert hall on 13 November.

In January 2015, the suspected ringleader had managed to give the slip to Greek police and evaded arrest after authorities had planned to arrest him on terror charges. Abaaoud had been directing a Belgian terror cell from the Greek capital, Athens, according to reports.