World News Desk!!! An Indian national, who allegedly stabbed a sweeper and then threatened police at knifepoint, was shot dead by police in Australia on Tuesday. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that 32-year-old Mohammed Rahmatullah Syed Ahmed, from Tamil Nadu, attacked a 28-year-old cleaner at Auburn train station in west Sydney at 12.03am and arrived at Auburn police station about five minutes later. According to the police, both the youths did not know each other. When he tried to attack two policemen at the police station, a senior officer fired three shots, two of which hit Ahmed in the chest. Reports said Ahmed was taken to Westmead Hospital after initial treatment by paramedics, but was pronounced dead just after 1.30 p.m. Police said Ahmed was living in Auburn on a bridging visa.
Addressing a news conference on Tuesday morning, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said the officers had no choice but to shoot the man. “I fully support these officers,” The Herald quoted him as saying. This is painful. This is a significant incident at one of our police stations.” Smith said detectives are examining Ahmed’s mental health, and have also spoken to the cleaner, who suffered a puncture wound to his left arm, and is now in stable condition in hospital. Confirming the identity of Ahmed, the Consulate General of India said it was providing all possible assistance to the police. “We have sought a full report on the circumstances surrounding the firing on an Indian national,” the consulate said. In a statement published by The Herald, the consulate said, “The incident is extremely disturbing and unfortunate. We have formally taken up the matter with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, NSW office, as well as state police officers.”
–IANS
SGK/ANM