Australian police foil terror plot to detonate bomb on aircraft

Police officials in Australia have stepped up security efforts at the nation’s airports after they thwarted a plot to detonate an explosive on a plane. Travelers should expect additional bag screenings and minor flight delays. Police arrested four men Saturday after raiding five houses in the Sydney suburbs. Seven Network Television said authorities found a suspicious device in one of the houses after riot squad officers stormed the property. Andrew Colvin, the commissioner of Australian Federal Police, said on Sunday that the police received a tip on Saturday night that revealed a plot to use an “improvised device” to hit an Australian aircraft. “We believe it is Islamic-inspired terrorism,” Colvin said. “Exactly what is behind this is something we need to investigate fully.” The search for more suspects continues, police said. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the country’s national threat level would remain at “probable.”