JAKARTA: Indonesian police say they have foiled a plot to kill government officials and Shiite followers by suspected Muslim militants who were arrested in weekend raids.

Security was raised at foreign embassies, public places and churches across Indonesia.

National police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said Monday that information from the US, Australia and Singapore helped police discover that the suspects planned to carry out the attacks during the year-end holiday season.

He said the country's anti-terror squad had arrested nine men in five cities who are suspected of planning the attacks.

Haiti said information obtained from the suspects and evidence seized from their hideouts revealed an elaborate plot to assassinate police, including anti-terror squad leaders, government officials, Shiite followers and others considered enemies of their faith.