Australia has more than 400 operations into IS terror extremists

AUSTRALIA’S top spy agency has more than 400 terror operations under way into Islamic State extremists — more than at any time in the past decade.

Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce arrest involving officers from the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, ASIO, and other government agencies. Picture: Police Media

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AUSTRALIA’S top spy agency has more than 400 terror operations under way into Islamic State extremists — more than at any time in the past decade.

As the pressure grows on ­social media companies Facebook, Google and YouTube to stop helping terrorists spread their evil message, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation has revealed it is dealing with a threat level so high, it cannot guarantee all attacks will be prevented.

The Daily Telegraph understands ASIO now has more high-priority counter-terrorism investigations in place than at any time.

Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce arrest involving officers from the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, ASIO, and other government agencies. Picture: Police Media

Intelligence officers are focusing on the most critical threats from individuals or groups who may be planning to use violence against the Australian people or its institutions.

Of particular high concern is rapid technological change where widespread use of encrypted communications and social media operators are helping terrorists conceal their activities.

There are more than 400 high-priority counter-terrorism investigations into extremists, the federal government has ­revealed.

The terror threat is “unprecedented”.

There are also 200 people in Australia under ­investigation for providing support to individuals and groups involved in the Syria-Iraq conflict.

And Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told The Daily Telegraph she had cancelled or refused to issue 205 Australian passports, to stop fighters either returning to Australia or trying to go to Syria and Iraq.

Ahead of the latest wave of terror attacks sweeping the globe, ASIO Director-General Duncan Lewis warned the threat of violent Islamist terrorism is “unprecedented for Australia”.

“There is understandably a high government and public expectation of what we, together with our partners, can do to protect Australia,” he said.

“However, the reality is that the scale of the challenge is significant no matter how great our efforts.

“In today’s environment … we cannot provide complete assurance that all terrorist attacks … affecting Australia and Australians will be identified and prevented.”