The terror cell that was apprehended last week in Jordan planned to carry out a large-scale chemical attack, Jordanian officials told the al-Hayat London-based newspaper. According to the officials, the successful prevention of the attack may have saved thousands of lives.

The report added that the terrorists planned to detonate a powerful chemical bomb at a Jordanian Military Intelligence installation. The cell also intended to use poison gas during attacks on the US embassy in Amman and a government building in the country.

The officials said that following the interrogation of the cell members, it was revealed they were connected to senior al-Qaeda operative Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is high up on the US most wanted list.

The terrorists managed to smuggle three cars packed with explosives. In one of the cars, security forces found the chemical charge.

The officials were quoted as saying, The bomb, had it been detonated, could have affected people in a one kilometer radius and cause the deaths of up to 20,000 people, according to estimates.