Counterterrorism police have alleged two of the five men they arrested in an operation in Melbourne were planning a terrorist attack on an Anzac Day ceremony.

The two men, an 18-year-old Hallam man and an 18-year-old Hallam Park man, were arrested this morning during a major joint counterterrorism team operation.

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Another man was arrested for weapons offences and two other men were in custody assisting police with their enquiries, after seven search warrants were executed as part of Operation Rising and a number of properties were searched this morning.

The Australian Federal Police said they believed the two 18-year-olds were plotting an attack to take place on Anzac Day.

It’s understood a number of the arrested men attended the Al Furqan Islamic study centre in South Springvale.

Abdul Numan Haider, who was shot and killed by counterterrorism police last year, was also linked to the centre.

Searches are continuing at several addresses in the south-eastern metropolitan area and investigations are ongoing.