Australian jihadist link to terror group

Intelligence agencies believe Australian jihadists are highly likely to have trained with a secretive al-Qaeda-linked bombing unit based in Syria and focussed on launching terror attacks in the West, it's been reported.

Australian security agencies have developed deep concerns about the activities of the Khorosan group, described by a senior US official as potentially posing as much of a threat to the West as the Islamic State group, News Corp Australia reports.

The report says intelligence agencies cannot say definitely that Australians have joined the Khorosan group, but the government has been advised it is highly likely that fewer than 10 and probably close to five have trained or are training with the group.

The group is thought to comprise senior members of the al-Qaeda old guard.

US officials announced 10 days ago they had bombed Khorosan targets after it emerged the group was planning an imminent attack in either the US or Europe.

The director of US national intelligence, James Clapper, said last month that in terms of threat to the US homeland, Khorosan may pose as much a danger as Islamic State.