A day after an attack in the heart of london that left four people dead, the terror outfit ISIS has claimed responsibility for the strike, even as the Metropolitan Police on Thursday named Khalid Masood (52) as the lone attacker. Eight suspects have been arrested after the attack. Seven people injured in the strike are in a critical condition, authorities said.
Prime Minister Theresa May said the Westminster attacker was British-born and known to police and Intelligence services. She told the MPs he had been investigated some years ago but was not part of the current Intelligence picture.
Soon after May’s speech, the ISIS on its propaganda news agency Amaq claimed responsibility, saying a “Soldier of the Caliphate” carried out the attack on the British Parliament. “The operation was carried out in response to calls to target coalition countries,” it said in a statement.
World leaders voiced their determination in combating terrorism and expressed full solidarity with the UK.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness over the london terror attack and said India stands with the UK. “Deeply saddened by the terror attack in london. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” Modi said in a tweet.
Scotland Yard Acting Deputy Commissioner and Head of Counter Terrorism Mark Rowley said the investigation was at a critical stage and the identity of the attacker was not being released as the ongoing investigation tries to piece together the suspect’s “motivations, his preparation and associates”.
He urged the public to use their instincts and report anything suspicious, saying the Met Police will be working round the clock and all annual leave has been cancelled.
Meanwhile, an Ohio Mayor said he has resigned after receiving threats over a plan to stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the lord’s Prayer at village council meetings.
lawmakers and lords, researchers and reporters, cleaners and catering staff returned to Britain’s Parliament on Thursday, as Britain’s seat of Government shook off its shock and got back to work after an attack that left two civilians and a policeman dead.
The Parliament complex is not just a political cockpit, but something much like a small town — complete with restaurants, shops, post office and hairdresser — in which thousands of people work. Now, it is a community in mourning.
Over the years security has grown tighter. Visitors to Parliament now undergo airport-style screening with metal detectors and X-Ray scanners.
US President Donald Trump spoke by phone to Prime Minister Theresa May to offer his condolences and to praise the effective response of UK security services. Trump pledged the “full co-operation and support” of the US Government in bringing those responsible for the attack to justice, the White House said in a statement.
French President Francois Hollande expressed his “solidarity” with the British people, saying “terrorism concerns us all and France knows how the British people are suffering today”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent condolences by telegram to Prime Minister May, expressing support for the bereaved and wounded. “The forces of terror are acting more and more deviously and cynically. It is clear that, in order to counteract the terrorist threat, all members of the global community must combine forces,” he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country saw a lorry attack in December that killed 12 people in Berlin and was also claimed by ISIS, said her thoughts were “with our British friends and all of the people of london”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that it was an “attack on democracies around the world” and Canadians stood “united with the British people in the fight against terrorism”.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the people of Brussels and Belgium had “suffered a similar pain and felt the support of your sympathy and solidarity”.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a message of condolences to British Queen Elizabeth II, said that terrorism is the common enemy of the international community.