Bulgaria’s security services recently thwarted a planned terror attack against Israeli tourists in the capital Sofia, it was published on Sunday.

According to reports, the Bulgarians were able to locate suspicious suitcases that had been loaded with explosives and which the terrorists planned to blow up on a bus carrying Israelis who were on their way to a resort in the country.

Local security forces are investigating whether there is a connection between the thwarted attack and a European terrorist cell run by the Lebanon-based Hizbullah group. Also being investigated is a possible connection between the timing of the attack and the approaching anniversary of the 2008 assassination of senior Hizbullah leader Imad Mughniyeh.

Mughniyeh was killed in a car-bomb attack in Damascus in February of 2008, reportedly while in the midst of planning major terrorist attacks in moderate Arab countries.

Both Hizbullah and Syria blamed Israel for killing Mughniyeh, and Hizbullah has promised to avenge his death.

The thwarted attack comes after last week, Israel asked European authorities to increase security on Israeli tour groups at ski resorts and other hotels, with specific concern for Israelis in Sofia.