ISIS claims responsibility of London terror attack

London: The deadliest terrorism outfit across the world, Islamic State (ISIS), on Thursday claimed the responsibility of the terror attack near the UK Parliament.

ISIS took the responsibility of the terror attack through its propaganda news agency 'Amaq', saying, "Soldier of the caliphate carried out the attack on the British Parliament."

"The operation was executed in response to claims of targeting coalition countries," it added.

The British Media, however, has named the attacker as Khalid Masood, saying he was earlier convicted in several crimes but none of them were related to terrorism.

The 52-year-old assailant was born in Kent, to the southeast of London, but was recently living in central England, the police department added.

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He was earlier convicted in the cases that include assaults, including GBH (grievous bodily harm), possession of offensive weapons and public order offences.

Masood was first convicted in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last was in December 2003 for having a knife, said the police.

Four people, including the attacker and a police officer, PC Keith Palmer, who was on guard at Parliament, lost their lives in Wednesday's incident.

After chairing an emergency Cobra meeting at Downing Street, the British PM had said, “This attacker, who had a knife in his hand, ran towards the Parliament where he met our police officers who keep us and our democratic institutions safe. Tragically, one officer lost his life, but we succeeded in killing the terrorist.”

Heaping praises over the security forces for showing exceptional courage, she said, “Once again today, these exceptional men and women ran towards the danger even as they encouraged others to move the other way. On behalf of the whole country, I want to pay tribute to them and to all our emergency services for the work they have been doing to reassure the public and bring security back to the streets of our capital city.”

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“The location of this terror attack was no accident. The terrorists chose to strike at the heart of our Capital City, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech,” she added.

Announcing that Thursday will begin as a normal day for the entire city, Theresa May said, “Londoners and others from around the world who are here to visit the great city, will get up in the morning and indulge in their daily activities as always. We will never give in to terror and never going to allow the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart.”

It may be mentioned that Theresa May was herself in the House of Commoners when the terror attack took place. She had just finished her weekly practice of Prime Minister’s Questions.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condoled the death of the innocent people in the terror attack.

Also Read: UK Parliament shooting: Death toll rises to five, 40 injured