15 detained in Australian counterterrorism raids

SYDNEY - Australian police have detained 15 people in a major counterterrorism operation after they say intelligence indicated a violent attack was being planned on Australian soil.

Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin said around 800 federal and state police officers raided more than a dozen properties across Sydney and the eastern cities of Brisbane and Logan as part of the operation.

The arrests come just days after the country lifted its terror warning to the second-highest level in response to the domestic threat posed by supporters of the Islamic State group.

Colvin said police believe the people detained had been planning to commit a random, violent act in Australia.

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