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Five men arrested in Australia for terror plot on vets' day

Officials said the terror attack could have occurred at anytime in the next week.

By Doug G. Ware

MELBOURNE, April 18 (UPI) -- Five men were arrested in Australia Saturday for allegedly plotting to launch a terror attack for the nation's veterans day celebration next week, authorities said.

The men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested in Melbourne and face terror-related criminal charges. Federal police say the men were planning to attack a celebration of the annual Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on April 25.

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The ANZAC celebration honors Australian soldiers for their fight in a World War I battle in Turkey. Police said the men may have also targeted police officers at the event, the New York Times reported Friday.

Police said they served seven search warrants Saturday, and continue to search the suspects' homes.

Australia has increased its terrorism awareness recently following acts by so-called Islamic State radicals, who last year specifically mentioned the country while urging militants to launch more attacks abroad.

Government officials say more than 100 Australians have so far voyaged to the Middle East to join Islamic State fighters, prompting them to be more vigilant in looking for potential terrorist activity at home. But authorities may be spread thin, as they are currently trying to handle a caseload of more than 400 terror investigations.

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In February, two men were arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack in Australia. Another was captured in September, officials said, after communicating with terror leaders in Syria and plotting to behead a random person in Sydney, the Times report said.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott encouraged citizens to go ahead with plans to attend the ANZAC ceremony, and not be deterred by terrorists.

"The best thing you can do in the face of those who would do us harm is to live your life normally," he said in a report by The Australian Friday. "I want to assure people that everything authorities can do to keep you safe is being done."

Officials, who said there will be an increased police presence at the celebration, aren't sure exactly when the terror attack was supposed to occur -- noting only that it could have happened anytime within the next week.

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