Paris, Aug 23 (IANS): A man who attempted to attack a train in France, injuring three passengers, has been identified as a Moroccan national, the media reported on Sunday.

According to French investigators, Ayoub El Khazzani's DNA was already on file with Spanish authorities over previous links with radical Islamist networks, CNN reported.

The attempted attack occurred on Friday as the high-speed Thalys train, heading from Amsterdam to Paris, passed through the Oignies region in Haute Picardie, France. He boarded the train in Belgium.

Khazzani was arrested in Arras station with the help of three American men who thwarted the attack by overpowering him.

A Kalashnikov assault weapon with nine magazines of ammunition, a Luger automatic pistol with extra ammo and a box cutter were carried by Khazzani.

Khazzani is believed to have travelled from Europe to Turkey between May and July, probably to try to join the Islamic State terror group in Syria.