A horrifying email sent to an undercover reporter posing as an extremist has revealed a terror chief’s instructions to commit an atrocity in Britain.
The chilling exchange between the reporter and Anwar al-Awlaki –– widely tipped to succeed Osama Bin Laden as Al- Qaeda leader –– outlined the various options opened to extremists who wanted to launch an attack on British soil.

In the correspondence, al-Awlaki allegedly advised “pipe bombs, assassinations or using a firearm at a location crowded with enemies”.

This was believed to be a reference to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in India where gunmen rampaged through the city, killing 164 people.

The undercover sting by a Sun reporter posing as two British extremists followed a warning by Britain’s most senior police officer that “there can be no let-up in our vigilance” following Bin Laden’s death.

Sir Paul Stephenson’s words came as exiled preacher of hate, Omar Bakri, warned of heavy retaliation by Al-Qaeda to its leader’s “assassination”.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner said the killing of one man “does not mark the end of an ideology” and the public must remain alert to the threat of Al Qaeda.

The Sun’s reporter allegedly made contact with al-Awlaki’s terror organisation after obtaining an email address for “Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula” hidden in material on an extremist website.

Posing as a fanatic named Q. Khan, the reporter asked for advice on the most effective way to launch an attack.

The alleged reply came weeks later, and is said to have read: “The options that you have for operations could be pipe bombs, assassinations or using a firearm at a location crowded with enemies.”

It added: “We would also suggest that if you have decided to go ahead do not contact us because this may bring surveillance on you.”

The email was signed “Your brothers at al-Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula”.

Al-Awlaki was widely believed to be the mastermind behind a number of terror atrocities.

He was also said to have brainwashed Roshonara Choudhry, the 21-year-old student who went on to stab MP Stephen Timms in his constituency in May last year.

Earlier this year he was also linked to British Airways worker, Rajib Karim, 31, who was jailed for 30 years in March for his part in a plot to blow up an airliner.

The newspaper claimed that in a further email the reporter posed as a woman named Catherine –– a convert to Islam who worked in a government department in London. It claims she was advised to use her own instincts.

Referring to Al-Awlaki, Tory member of parliament, Patrick Mercer, told the Sun: “He is a leading contender to fill the power vacuum left by Osama Bin Laden.”

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