Young terror raid: Police dig up home of IS missile plot suspect Haisem Zahab

UPDATE: Police today sent up a drone above the Young property where electrician Haisem Zahab, 42, was yesterday arrested accused of designing a missile for terror group IS, as part of a search of the homestead.

• Rural electrician’s alleged IS missile plot

POLICE today sent up a drone above the Young property where electrician Haisem Zahab was yesterday arrested accused of designing a missile for terror group IS, as part of a search of the homestead.

The main focus of the police search has remained inside the home throughout the day with police spending some time condoning off an area off the backyard located next to some small sheds.

This comes as officers were spotted digging up sections of Zahab’s home as they continued their search of the Cherry Vale Place property where the electrician, 42, was allegedly accessing substantial amounts of information on line about what materials he could buy to build the missile and a laser warning device as well as instructions on how to construct it.

AFP officers trawl over the Cherry Vale Place property today. Picture: Simon Bullard

A police officer at the back of Zahab’s Young home today. Picture: Simon Bullard

Police lead Zahab off the property yesterday. Picture: AAP

Police will allege he was relaying the information to IS directly and through extensive family connections he has in both Syria and Iraq who are well known to Australian authorities as financiers of terrorist organisations.

Zahab was the registered owner of a business called Oz Survival Gear registered to the Cherry Vale address raided by police with the business name owned by “Haisam Zahab”.

The Australian Federal Police sealed off the property, establishing a mobile command centre at the rear of the house, as they continued to use sniffer dogs and metal detectors to scour the surrounding area.

Officers converge on the Young property today. Picture: Simon Bullard

A dog squad officer combs bushland around the home. Picture: Simon Bullard

The township of Young was in shock today that the fight against terror had come to their doorstep.

The newly formed Hilltop Council, established early last year 2016 during the council mergers and includes the former council areas of Boorowa, Harden and Young. administrator Wendy Tuckerman said this event would not erode the welcoming and vibrant community that existed in Young.

“The Hilltop Council has commended the AFP for their work and for keeping our nation safe,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“Our community is obviously receiving a lot of media attention given that this type of occurrence is not common place in regional NSW. However, it is important to recognise that nowhere is immune to these types of incidents.

“Young is a vibrant, welcoming community. One of the things that makes it unique is the diversity that exists. We have a rich multicultural history that is embraced by the community and it is important that we acknowledge that the scope of the arrest is limited to the actions of one individual.”

Officers arrest Zahab yesterday. Picture: Channel 9

Officers are expected to remain here for a few days as they scour the property to collect as much as evidence as possible.

Neighbour Kerry Barr, 72, said: “I was a teacher at Young High School and spent 20 years in New Guinea and I used to help with the transition programs for the Muslim people coming to the community.

“I know the original influx of Muslim people who came to Young about 20 years ago were concerned about the new generation coming here because they don’t know about them or why they have come here.

“The original people came here to escape the gangs in Sydney and they are worried about these new people moving out here because they do not get involved with the community.”

Zahab today remains at the Junee Correctional Facility.