TWO BOYS charged after police swooped in and stopped them allegedly committing an act of terror in Sydney’s south west yesterday have links to Islamic State, police say.
The pair were arrested behind a mosque in Bankstown around midday and were found to have bayonet-style knives they were allegedly planning to use in a public beheading.
Investigators have found evidence that links them to Islamic State, Acting Police Commissioner Cath Burn told reporters today.
Police arresting the two teens in Bankstown yesterday. Picture: Seven News
A family member of one of the boys arrives at Bankstown Police Station yesterday.
We will be alleging this attack was inspired by Islamic State. The charge that relates to membership of an organisation, we will allude to their association or allegiance with Islamic State,” she said.
While Ms Burn wouldn’t confirm the two boys were on the terror watchlist, she did say they were on the Joint Counterterrorism Team’s radar.
“We were well aware of these two 16-year-olds and, again, I can’t say a great deal about them and I clearly can’t identify them but we have been aware of them,” she said.
