Two Indonesian pilots pose security threat: Australian authorities

Australian authorities believe two Indonesian pilots radicalised by pro-Islamic State (IS) forces may pose an international security threat, according to a leaked intelligence report.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) operational intelligence report, titled "Identification of Indonesian pilots with possible extremist persuasions" and made available online by The Intercept on Thursday, said the AFP was alerted in March 2015 that two Indonesian pilots, Ridwan Agustin and Tommy Abu Alfatih, had posted information on social media that indicated support for IS.

"Upon review of the content from both accounts it is assessed that these persons are likely being influenced by radical elements -- at least from the online environment -- and, as a result, may pose a security threat," Xinhua news agency quoted the report as saying.

"Pilots, air crew and others with access to and within the aviation environment can pose obvious threats if these persons are radicalised," the report said.

"Their access and knowledge of security and safety regimes provides the ability to attempt attacks as witnessed by past global events. It is noted that a recent edition of the Al Qaeda magazine Inspire actively encouraged attacks within the aviation environment."

Fairfax Media reported one of the pilots is believed to have travelled to Australia among his many destinations across the world.

The second pilot, reportedly a former AirAsia Indonesia pilot, now claims to be living in the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa in eastern Syria.

The report was disseminated to global security agencies.

An AFP spokesperson said the agency does not comment on matters of intelligence.

The Intercept is in online platform created by Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, and Jeremy Scahill for documents previously provided by US National Security Agency (NSA) whistle-blower Edward Snowden.