Foiled terror plot targeted plane
SYDNEY: A thwarted terrorist conspiracy to bring down a plane in Australia with an improvised device has intensified security screening at the country’s airports.
Four men were arrested as New South Wales and Federal Police officers swooped on five properties in the Sydney suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl on Saturday afternoon.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said airport security measures had been increased and reassured the public of their safety.
Travellers have been warned to arrive two hours earlier because of ‘‘additional scrutiny’’ and security experts said the arrangements were likely to be in place for the foreseeable future.
‘‘Items of interest’’ were seized and searches at four of the properties continued yesterday, with AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin suggesting they might take ‘‘many more days’’.
The plan involved an improvised device and was Islamist-inspired, he said.
‘‘We’ve taken this threat very seriously,’’ Colvin said. ‘‘You should infer that we think this was credible and there was an intention, and there was quite possibly a capability as well.’’
Colvin expressed confidence Australia’s airport security protocols would have prevented the plans coming to fruition.
Despite this, travellers were warned to expect delays and increased scrutiny at all Australian departure points after security measures were ‘‘intensified’’.
‘‘Some of that will be visible, some of it will not be visible, but it will take more time,’’ Turnbull said.
The plot was the 13th significant conspiracy to be foiled by Australian authorities since the country’s terror threat level was raised to ‘‘probable’’ in 2014.
Dr John Coyne, who heads the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Border Security Programme, called it the most ‘‘troubling’’.
‘‘It involves a much more coordinated group, on face value,’’ he told AAP.
‘‘They had that level of planning and they obviously had some expectation of achieving success, which indicates they’d identified a vulnerability themselves.’’
Colvin said he had no reason to believe the integrity of airport security had been compromised.
Coyne agreed current provisions would have thwarted the plot had it gained momentum. He said since the September 11 attacks in 2001, terror incidents had shifted to regionally focused incidents, such as the Bali bombings, and then to a domestic lonewolf trend.
‘‘One data point doesn’t make a pattern, but we’re seeing a new chapter arising or a return chap ter, almost,’’ he said.
‘‘This is much more planned and deliberate, if the allegations are correct.’’
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said 70 people had been charged as a result of 31 terror operations since 2014.
State and federal police agreed Saturday afternoon was the right time to act based on risk assessments, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said.
‘‘The reality is, with terrorism, you can’t wait until you put the whole puzzle together,’’ he said.
‘‘You have to go early, because if you get it wrong, the consequences are severe.’’
No details have been released about the arrested men, who are yet to be charged. — AAP