PARIS, Feb 26 — Two men who had been arrested on suspicion of planning a terror attack in France were charged yesterday, legal sources said.

The suspects, one 19-year-old and the other a 27-year-old, were arrested Tuesday in the coastal city of Marseille and the central city of Clermont-Ferrand.

Both men, known to intelligence services for belonging to the jihadist Salafist community, were indicted on charges of criminal association in connection with a criminal terrorist enterprise, as well as for possession of firearms.

During raids, police recovered a Kalashnikov rifle and a shotgun, one grenade, a knife, and two bulletproof vests. They also found documents of jihadist propaganda.

Authorities however are still investigating the exact nature of their plans.

France remains on high alert after a wave of attacks that began two years ago, claiming more than 200 lives.

On February 3, a soldier shot and wounded a machete-wielding attacker who lunged at him outside the Louvre museum in Paris while shouting "Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest).

One of the most active members of the US-led coalition fighting IS, France has been the worst hit among European countries targeted by attacks claimed or inspired by the Sunni extremist group. — AFP