9 Jun 2017

Counter-terrorism operation underway in Melbourne

9:39 am on 9 June 2017

Australian police are conducting a counter-terrorism operation in Melbourne, just days after a deadly siege by a lone gunman in the city.

Police at the scene the siege in the suburb of Brighton on 6 June.

Police at the scene the siege in the suburb of Brighton on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

"Victoria Police and their partners within the Joint Counter Terrorism Team are conducting a police operation in the northern suburbs this morning," state police said in an emailed statement. Police declined to comment further.

Victoria premier Daniel Andrews said the operation was related to Yacqub Khayre, who shot dead a man, held a woman hostage and wounded three police officers before being shot and killed what police are treating as a terrorist attack.

"A number of warrants are being executed in Melbourne," he told Sky News.

"We're obviously limited in what we can say, we don't want to put any of our operational staff in harm's way by speaking about these matters, but they are in connection with the terrible tragic events of Monday in Brighton."

The Australian government has signalled a drive to reform parole laws as a result of the incident, including a ban on parole for violent offenders who have any links to extremism, as Khayre was on parole for a violent break-and-enter offence.

Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said the operation related to an ongoing investigation.

"As this relates to an ongoing investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further," she said.

"The safety of the community and our members is paramount and more information will be released when it is safe to do so."

- ABC / Reuters