Anti-terrorism operation underway in Barcelona's gothic quarter

An anti-terrorism operation is underway in Barcelona's gothic quarter among other spots in the Catalan capital and the town of Igualada, in central Catalonia, police have confirmed.

The cell intended to launch a terrorist attack in the capital, although sources from the investigation told Catalan News that they didn't have the capacity to do it. 

Officers searched six buildings and made at least 17 arrests. Five alleged terrorists were in an advanced stage of the radicalization process.

100 officers of Mossos d'Esquadra join operation

The raids are part of a long-term operation called 'Alexandria', which is focused on the fight against jihadism, and 100 officers of the Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra police have joined it. 

The Twitter account of the police first informed of the operation on Tuesday at 6.25am local time.