Photos: Australian Police Foil Terror Plot To Bring Down Plane With Bomb

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...