WASHINGTON: The CIA has stepped up drone attacks against militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas to try to foil a suspected terror plot against European targets, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

The Journal, which cited current and former officials, said the exact nature of the plot could not be learned but it was believed to target multiple countries, including Britain, France and Germany.

Pakistani security officials have reported around 20 drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal belt along the Afghan border this month, the latest on Monday killing four militants.

It has been the highest number of drone attacks during a single month, surpassing the previous high of 12 in January, according to an AFP tally.