Australian
Police carried out counter-terrorism raids in four suburbs of Sydney on
Saturday, July 29, over a suspected bomb plot to bring down an aircraft.
Four men
were taken into custody in what was described as a "major" operation
by the New South Wales Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
"These
searches and the broader investigation remain ongoing, and further information
will be made available at the appropriate time," the police said in a
statement.
Searches
were conducted in the suburbs of Lakemba, Surry Hills, Wiley Park and
Punchbowl.
The Sydney
Morning Herald cited police sources saying the raids relate to a terrorist cell
and a bomb plot to bring down an aircraft.
The raids
were not planned but were a rapid response to information received by police,
the newspaper reported.
Prime
Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he had been "closely briefed" about
the operation.
"These
operations are designed to disrupt and prevent plans to undertake terrorist
attacks in Australia," Turnbull said in a statement.
40 riot
squad officers moved on one inner city home before an explosives team found a
suspicious device, although police would not confirm this.
TV footage
showed a man with a bandage on his head and draped in a blanket being led away
by authorities.
National
broadcaster ABC quoted a woman as saying her son and husband were arrested in
the raids, but denied they had links to terrorism.
"I love
Australia," she said as she was led away to a car.
More photos
below..
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