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Australia Arrests Teens Over IS 'Terror Plot'

Five teenagers have been arrested in Australia over what police have described as an Islamic State-inspired terror plot.

Among the suspects are two 18-year-old boys who were allegedly preparing a major attack in Melbourne to coincide with an ANZAC Day ceremony to commemorate World War One.

Although investigators have found no evidence that the pair were planning a beheading, "edged weapons" were discovered during dawn raids on their homes, including multiple knives and swords. Policemen are believed to have been among the possible targets.

At a news conference, it was revealed the teenagers had links to Numan Haider, an 18-year-old who was shot dead last September after stabbing two police officers.

Haider became of interest to counter-terrorism officials after he appeared to wave an Islamic State flag at a shopping mall.

Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Michael Phelan said: "This is a new paradigm for police. These types of attacks that are planned are very rudimentary and simple… all you need these days is a knife, a flag and a camera and one can commit a terrorist act."

One of the teenagers accused of planning attacks on ANZAC Day, Sevdet Besim, has been remanded in custody following a 30-second hearing. He is due back in court on 24 April.

According to Acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartright, capsicum spray had to be used during one dawn raid after a suspect resisted arrest. Of the five men arrested or in custody, three were hurt and one suffered a minor head injury.

"High risk searches, high risk raids at 3am in the morning, I'm not surprised that some of them needed medical attention," he added.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, neighbours of the suspects reported hearing screams, bangs and the sound of shattering glass during the raids, with one eyewitness claiming that flash grenades were deployed.

Police in the UK have said they are now reviewing the security plans for related remembrance events being held in Britain.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has previously warned that the terror threat in Australia has escalated - with one-third of all terrorism-related arrests occurring in the last six months.

In February, two men were charged with preparing for an imminent Islamic State-inspired attack, where they vowed in a video to stab the necks and kidneys of their victims.

And in December, two people were killed when Man Monis, a self-styled cleric, took 18 people hostage in a Sydney café.

Mr Abbott has urged Australians to commemorate ANZAC Day as normal, and security at planned events across the country has been stepped up.

"The best sign of defiance we can give to those who would do us harm is to go about a normal, peaceful, free and fair Australian life," he said, urging people to "turn up in the largest possible numbers to support our country".