In Australia, two people were killed and 5 injured after commandos stormed a cafe in Sydney to bring to an end a 16-hour hostage crisis. A lone gunman, identified as Man Haron Monis of Iranian-origin, was also killed during the operation launched last night. Two Indian nationals – Vishwakant Ankit Reddy and Pushpendu Ghosh, trapped in the cafe, are safe. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in New Delhi that both are undergoing medical check-ups. Security of Indian cricket team has been beefed up, though they are some 700 Kms away from Sydney in Brisbane.

The two hostages killed have been identified as Tori Johnson, 34, manager of the Lindt cafe and Katrina Dawson, 38, a barrister. They were among 17 hostages at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe. Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the incident as horrific and tragic beyond words. He said, there are lessons to be learned from this brush with terrorism. Iran has also condemned the incident. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said, carrying out such inhuman acts and provoking fear and panic in the name of Islam is not in any way justifiable.