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Jon Donnison: "Authorities think an attack is not just possible but likely"
Police have carried out anti-terror raids in Sydney sparked by intelligence reports that Islamic extremists were planning random killings in Australia.
PM Tony Abbott said a senior Australian Islamic State militant had called for "demonstration killings", reportedly including a public beheading.
The raids, with at least 800 heavily-armed officers, led to 15 arrests.
One man has been charged with planning an attack. Prosecutors said he planned to "gruesomely" execute someone.
Australian media reports said a plot involved beheading a random member of the public after draping them in an Islamic State flag.
Asked about the reports in a press conference, Mr Abbott said: "That's the intelligence we received.''
"Direct exhortations were coming from an Australian who is apparently quite senior in ISIL (Islamic State) to networks of support back in Australia to conduct demonstration killings here in this country."
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Prime Minister Tony Abbott says there was "intent" to carry out terror attacks
Analysis: BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney
The news of an alleged plot to publicly behead a random Australian will shock many people here, including the vast majority of this country's long-established moderate Muslim community.
Many Muslims are unhappy with what's going on in Iraq and Syria but would never resort to violence. These raids risk antagonising the broader Islamic community.
But Australia, like many countries including Britain, is worried about the threat from Islamic State, not just abroad but at home. More than a decade on from Australia's support for the US-led war in Iraq, the country finds itself embroiled in a conflict that is far from over.
Tony Abbott this week announced he is sending 600 troops to the Middle East to assist in the fight against Islamic State. Security forces clearly face a battle at home too.
"So this is not just suspicion, this is intent and that's why the police and security agencies decided to act in the way they have."
Mr Abbott did not name the Australian concerned. But local reports say an intercepted phone call involving Mohammad Ali Baryalei, a former Sydney bouncer described as Australia's most senior IS member, and domestic IS supporters triggered the operation.
In recent weeks, IS has released video footage showing three foreign nationals seized in Syria being beheaded.
'Random attacks'Police say the anti-terror operation was the largest in Australian history.
The raids began early on Thursday, with officers executing 25 search warrants across 12 Sydney suburbs.
One of the arrested men, Omarjan Azari, 22, later appeared in a Sydney court charged with conspiracy to prepare for a terrorist attack.
Prosecutor Michael Allnutt said Mr Azari planned to commit "extremely serious" offences "clearly designed to shock, horrify and terrify'' the public.
Other raids took place in Brisbane. Acting Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin said they were not "directly linked" to the Sydney operation but related to a raid last week on an Islamic centre that led to two men being charged with terrorism offences.
Last week, Australia raised its terror threat level to high amid concerns of the growing number of Australians "working with, connected to or inspired by" Islamist groups.
Officials say dozens of Australians have gone to fight in the Middle East for jihadist groups such as Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (also known as the al-Nusra Front).
At least 60 Australians are believed to be fighting with jihadist groups in Syria and northern Iraq, and 15 Australians have been killed so far in these conflicts, including two suicide bombers.
About 100 more Australians are thought to be actively supporting these groups, police say.
Officials are worried about the impact of both returning fighters and supporters of these groups on domestic security.
Australia and foreign fighters:- 21 Jul: Officials say Australian suicide bomber behind Iraq blast
- 5 Aug: New legislation aimed at preventing people going to fight in the Middle East announced
- 11 Aug: Image emerges of son of Australian fighter holding severed head of Syrian soldier
- 27 Aug: New counter-terrorism units set up in airports to stop departing fighters
- 10 Sept: Brisbane Islamic centre raided; two charged with terrorism offences
- 12 Sept: Australia raises terror threat level
- 14 Sept: PM Abbott commits 600 troops to fight against IS
Phil Mercer: Australia's home-grown terror threat
It is the first time Australia's threat level has moved from medium to high - the second-highest rank - since the system was introduced in 2003.
"Medium" means an attack could occur. "High" means an attack is likely and "extreme" means an attack is imminent or has occurred.
Australia has also recently committed troops to the fight against Islamic State.
Mr Abbott, who has been spending a week in an indigenous area in northern Australia, is heading back south to see off departing troops.
Are you in Sydney or Brisbane? Did you witness the counter-terrorism operation? Tell us your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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