Australian police foil a IS terror plot targeting Melbourne during Christmas

Australian police have successfully foiled a IS terror plot targeting high-profile locations in Melbourne with a series of bombs on Christmas Day. The targets were prominent sites in Melbourne, Australia's second largest city and included Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and St Paul's Cathedral.
The five suspects aged between 21 and 26 had been under close surveillance for a fortnight and are now being held in connection with the alleged plot.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 23 December 2016.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner has indicated that the plot had been "inspired by ISIS (Islamic State) and ISIS propaganda" and had been removed "in its entirety". The attacks would have involved the use of explosives, and either guns or knives resulting in death and injuries to people.
Three of the suspects have been charged with preparing or planning a terrorist attack. The remaining two would also be charged. Four of those being held were born in Australia, the fifth was Egyptian-born with Egyptian and Australian citizenship.
In order to ensure safety, there will be extra officers on patrol on Christmas Day and at the annual cricket Test on Boxing Day.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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