London attack was a sick attack on democratic values: Britain PM

London: Speaking over the terror attack near the UK parliament here on Wednesday, Britain Prime Minister Theresa May said that this was a “sick and depraved” invasion on democratic values, which was “doomed to failure”.

After chairing an emergency Cobra meeting at Downing Street, the British PM 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."

Also Read: No Indian killed in the London terror attack: Sushma Swaraj

“The location of this 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 incident took place. She had just finished her weekly practice of Prime Minister's Questions.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday morning condemned the terror attack in the heart of the city.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/844733683185729537

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/844733922382630912

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier on Wednesday night had informed that no Indian has been killed in the terror attack near UK Parliament, in which three people lost their lives while 20 others suffered injuries.

Also Read: UK Parliament shooting: Four dead including the attacker

Swaraj claimed that she was in consistent touch with the Indian High Commission and has ensured that all possible help is provided to the Indian nationals in London.

She also released two numbers of High Commission’s Public Response Unit to make sure people get all the required help or information. The numbers are 020 8629 5950 and 020 7632 3035.

Three people were assassinated while 20 others got injured in an attack carried out by a man who mowed down pedestrians on a bridge and stabbed a cop outside Parliament complex before being killed by Scotland Yard officers.

Speaking over the attack, the head of counter-terrorism at London’s Metropolitan Police, Mark Rowley, said the police officer died in the attack was among the armed personnel who guard the Parliament, while the other victims were killed on Westminster Bridge where the attacked mowed down pedestrians in a car. At least 20 others got severely injured in the attack.