Attack plan on NATO base in Stavanger. Norway foiled a terrorist attack
The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) is investigating an 18-year-old from Rogaland, suspected of planning an attack in Stavanger. According to the charges, his target was to be a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) base in Jåttå. The man denies any wrongdoing.
The target of the attack was supposed to be NATO infrastructure in Norway.
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PST detained the teenager in February 2026, when he was still 17 years old. Investigators feared that the suspect might begin carrying out plans he discussed via the encrypted messenger Telegram. He remained in custody until the turn of April and May. After his release, the charge of planning a terrorist act was not dropped.
Contacts on Telegram. Discussions about the attack
New information was included in the Sør-Rogaland District Court's decision of February 27. The document was previously under a public quoting ban, which was later lifted at the request of TV 2. According to the decision, the 18-year-old allegedly admitted to sympathizing with the Islamic State (IS). He also reportedly pledged allegiance to the organization.
The suspect communicated on Telegram with two people he believed to be associated with IS. One of them used the pseudonym Abu Omar. The teenager allegedly asked about how to prepare explosives and received appropriate instructions. He also discussed with Abu Omar an attack on the NATO base, which was to be carried out using a bomb or a knife.
The suspect communicated on Telegram with two people he believed to be associated with IS. One of them used the pseudonym Abu Omar. The teenager allegedly asked about how to prepare explosives and received appropriate instructions. He also discussed with Abu Omar an attack on the NATO base, which was to be carried out using a bomb or a knife.
The man was detained when he was still 17 years old.Photo: Adobe Stock, standard license (illustrative photo)
PST visit. Then a “new target” appeared
PST visited the teenager on December 23, 2025, and asked him about connections to IS. After this conversation, the boy contacted Abu Omar again, informing him that he had given up further actions. However, contact was resumed on January 2. A few days later, the conversation again concerned a possible target.
Abu Omar asked if the teenager was thinking about another object. “I have a new target,” the 18-year-old allegedly replied on January 6. The suspect later explained that he meant starting studies in Medina, Saudi Arabia. However, the court did not find this explanation credible and stated that it was more likely that another attack target was being set, which PST was not yet aware of.
Abu Omar asked if the teenager was thinking about another object. “I have a new target,” the 18-year-old allegedly replied on January 6. The suspect later explained that he meant starting studies in Medina, Saudi Arabia. However, the court did not find this explanation credible and stated that it was more likely that another attack target was being set, which PST was not yet aware of.
During the search, investigators secured electronic devices belonging to the 18-year-old. The suspect provided passwords, including to his social media accounts. His lawyer, Lars Mathias Undheim, stated that his client does not wish to comment on the case. PST only confirms that the investigation is still ongoing.
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