Sydney hostage crisis ends, Ankireddy safe
Sydney: Ankireddy Vishwakant, an Indian techie hailing from Guntur district, was declared safe after heavily-armed police on Monday night stormed a popular Sydney cafe where a gunman of Iranian-origin had been holding about 15 people, ending an over-16-hour hostage drama.
Pushpendu Ghosh, another Indian involved in the Sydney hostage crisis was also said to be safe, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
"Sydney siege is over," New South Wales police tweeted minutes after loud bangs were heard as police stormed the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in downtown Sydney. A police spokesman confirmed "the operation is over" but did not release further details.
Five to six hostages, including Vishwakant, were seen running out of the eatery. One weeping woman could be seen being carried out by officers and at least two other people were wheeled out on stretchers.
Media reports said two were killed and three others seriously injured in the raid but police said they cannot confirm the casualties. The siege began after 9 am local time and the gunman was identified by local media as Haron Monis, who was granted political asylum in Australia.
The 50-year-old was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure, who was acting alone. The gunman, who arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1996, achieved notoriety after he sent letters to the families of Australian soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan, accusing them of being murderers.
Vishwakant, a techie from Guntur district, Vishwakant is an employee of software giant Infosys. Vishwakant 's father Eshwar Reddy said his son came 'out safe and he is ok'. Vishwakant had been living in Australia for the past six years along with his wife.
The couple has a daughter. He was working on Infosys project works with banks in Australia. After working for a project with National Australian Bank in Melbourne, he had moved about a year ago to Sydney to work as senior project manager with another bank.
News Posted: 16 December, 2014
|
