Two British Muslim soldiers targeted by the alleged beheading gang were used in an extraordinary “sting” operation to snare their assassins, it has emerged.

The courageous pair agreed to act like “tethered goats” in an attempt to catch the extremists plotting to kidnap them.

The soldiers – who are not thought to have told their families that they were potential targets – were placed under unprecedented surveillance for weeks as officers waited for the terrorists to strike.

I hope they are well rewarded, and their identities remain safe from the Jihadist moles in British government.