SYDNEY: Heavily armed Australian police stormed a Sydney cafe early yesterday morning and freed a number of hostages being held there at gunpoint, in a dramatic end to a 16-hour siege in which three people including the attacker were killed.
Police have not publicly identified the gunman but a police source named him as Man Haron Monis, an Iranian refugee. During the siege at the Lindt cafe, hostages had been forced to display an Islamic flag, igniting fears of a jihadist attack. Heavy gunfire and blasts from stun grenades filled the air after 1500 GMT.
Moments earlier, at least six people believed to have been held captive managed to flee after gunshots were heard coming from the cafe, and police said they made their move in response.Reuters
