Australia warns of 'advanced stage' terror threat in Indonesia

'Terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia, which could take place anywhere at any time'

Australian intelligence agencies have warned Indonesian authorities that terrorists might be in the "advanced stages of preparing attacks" in the country.

Australia's department of foreign affairs also warned travellers to exercise 'high degree of caution' if they plan to visit Indonesia, including the popular resort city of Bali.

The warning comes just a month after a terror attack on Indonesian capital Jakarta killed eight people including the gunmen.

"Recent indications suggest that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of preparing attacks in Indonesia," Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said in an updated travel advisory.

"We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Bali and Lombok, due to the high threat of terrorist attack."

Eight-eight Australians were among the 202 people killed in Indonesia's deadliest terror attack in 2002 in Bali.

Australia issued a similar travel warning for Malaysia last week.

The note says the intelligence has received "information that indicates that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia, which could take place anywhere at any time".

Indonesia, which became the focal point of the Isis terror threat in Southeast Asia following the Jakarta attacks, has increased its vigil and intensified a crackdown on suspected terror cells in the country.

The government has calculated that an estimated 700 Indonesians have joined Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The Islamic terror outfit has operatives and sympathisers in the country and the fighters retuning from foreign theatres of war pause high degree of danger.

Indonesian police arrested dozens of suspected Islamic radicals in the latest crackdown on jihadi cells last week.

Police said they arrested 36 people who were attending military-style training in a jihadist camp in the remote areas of Mount Sumbing in central Java province.

Also last week, Singapore authorities intercepted and deported four Indonesian would be jihadi fighters travelling to Syria via the island state.

The Indonesian government has submitted to parliament a raft of new laws tightening the anti-terror operations.

The draft terrorism law makes arrests and detentions easier by broadening the definition of terrorism.

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