Melbourne 'terror plot': Three held over 'chilling' gun plan, police say

[New World Explorer]

Australian police say they have arrested three men who were plotting to commit a terror attack in Melbourne.

The group had been attempting to source a semi-automatic rifle to kill as many people as possible in a crowded place, authorities said.

The suspects - aged 21, 26 and 30 - were allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group.

There was no ongoing threat to the public, said Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton.

Mr Ashton said the men had not settled on a location for the alleged attack, but their planning had "escalated" in recent days.

"They were certainly looking at a place of mass gathering, where there would be crowds, because they were trying to focus on trying to have a place where they could kill as many people as possible," he told reporters on Tuesday.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-46269876