One person has been shot dead and two police officers have been stabbed after an incident in Melbourne.
A bomb squad expert suits up to explore Endeavour Hills police station. Picture; Mike Keating Source: News Limited
THE teen terror suspect who was gunned down by police in Melbourne was "angry" his passport had been taken from him and had just broken up with his girlfriend.
Numan Haider, 18, was shot by police after he stabbed two officers outside Endeavour Hills police station last night. It's believed Haider may have been planning to behead police and post footage of the gruesome act online.
Haider's relationship with a woman who converted to Islam had recently ended which devastated the 18-year-old, a friend told the Herald Sun.
More details are emerging about the teenager and exactly why police were keeping close watch on him.
His passport was confiscated after police became concerned at his behaviour — which included standing in a Melbourne mall trying to turn passers-by to Islam.
Last Thursday he was one of five people seen thrusting brochures into shoppers' hands. He was then surrounded by police.
A witness said he was dressed in Army camouflage pants and was holding a black and white flag.
People who knew him said he was a good kid who had become "brainwashed".
He had complained about having his passport removed and about "harassment" from the AFP.
"They were always knocking on his door," one man said.
"He was frustrated, angry ... How would you feel if they (police) kept coming into your home?"
Another friend said Haider's mother had no clue as to her son's activities.
"She is in shock and very upset."
Police believe Haider's plan was to follow instructions from the Islamic State and behead officers and then cover their bodies in the Islamic State flag, The Age reports.
He had written on his Facebook page he believed AFP officers and ASIO agents were "dogs" who were declaring war on Muslims and Islam and posted images of himself standing proudly with an Islamic flag and in military gear.
Haider agreed to meet with two police officers for an "amicable discussion" at a Melbourne police station when the stabbing happened without warning.
Minutes after he arrived outside the station and peacefully shook hands with the officers the two cops were brutally stabbed and he was shot dead.
Addressing media in Melbourne earlier today, Victoria Police Commossioner Ken Lay said the young man had been known to police for three months, and late last week police learned of "behaviours that were causing significant concern". He was believed to be under investigation for threats against the Prime Minister and Mr Lay confirmed police had information the fanatic had been seen waving Islamic State flags at a local shopping centre.
A Facebook image of Numan Haider, the man shot by police last night. Source: HeraldSun
AFP acting commissioner Andrew Colvin also confirmed the young man was among a number of people whose passports were recently cancelled, and his was seized last week.
Mr Haider had agreed to meet with a Victoria police officer and a Federal police agent outside Endeavour Hills police station in Melbourne's southeast at about 7.45pm.
The federal agent, who was part of the Joint Counter Terrorism Unit, is a 43-year-old married man who has two children. He is in serious but stable condition while his colleague, a senior constable, is having surgery on his injuries this afternoon.
Police say he produced a knife and stabbed the Federal agent multiple times, while the Victorian officer was stabbed twice in the forearm.
The Victoria Police officer discharged a single shot, killing the young man.
Commissioner Ken Lay said there was "very limited" conversation before the attack.
"It was more of a matter of greetings, and then the attack occurred," he said.
FROM THE SCENE: NIGHT OF OUR WORST FEARS
Police investigate the shooting. Picture: Mike Keating Source: News Limited
Mr Lay said there was no plan to arrest the man last night.
"We needed to have a chat to him about a couple of issues and we just wanted to test some of his thinking," he said.
"This has been a confronting reminder to all police members about the stark realities and dangers that can present themselves at a moment's notice."
It was not known what the threat against Mr Abbott may have involved or whether the teen had been involved in planning some kind of attack.
Tony Abbott has delivered a video message from Hawaii on his way to New York, describing last night's event as a "nasty incident".
The Prime Minister said he has spoken to the wives of both officers, "to assure them of the government's support and of the government's respect for the professionalism with which the Police seemed to have acted here".
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the shooting by the police officer "was in self defence".
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said the dead man had acted on his own.
"Obviously both members are in shock but we are doing everything when can to provide them with support and assistance in what is for any police officer an incredibly difficult and challenging time,'' Mr Cornelius said.
A bomb squad member suited up before walking toward police station after the shooting. Pic: Mike Keating Source: News Limited
"The individual who has died, was invited and did come of his own free will to the police station,'' he said.
"Our members had no inkling that this individual posed a threat to them. As far as we are concerned it was going to an amicable discussion about that individual's behaviour.
"It is absolutely clear to us our members really had no choice other than to act in the way in which they did."
Australian Federal Police Commander Bruce Giles said the man was invited to discuss a "routine matter".
The matter was "something that needed to be spoken about" with the individual, he said.
Endeavour Hills is in Melbourne's southeast. Source: Supplied
Following the incident, police officers surrounded the area and diverted traffic from Heatherton Rd in both directions. Onlookers were pushed further back as the taped-off area surrounding the station was extended.
A young boy who lives nearby said he had heard a single shot coming from the area of the police station.
Service station attendant Shafi Miya, who was working across the road when the incident unfolded, said he heard a loud shot. He said the incident had been "pretty scary".
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius and AFP Commander Bruce Giles speak at a press conference at the scene. Source: Supplied
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said on Wednesday morning the AFP officer was in a serious but stable condition. The Victoria Police officer is in a stable condition and will undergo surgery today.
Mr Keenan said an investigation into the issue was ongoing, and while the incident was tragic it should remind the public that they are in the best of care.
"The police are our front line against people who wish to do us harm," Mr Keenan said.
"It is this kind of bravery and dedication shown by these officers that will continue to keep our community safe and secure."
Muslim leaders told a press conference today they didn't want to see their faith "hijacked" by a minority group and cautioned that new anti-terror laws didn't infringe on civil rights and liberties.
They also revealed four major mosques had been threatened in recent days.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott releases statement on the teen terror suspect shot dead by Police in Melbourne.
CALLS TO ATTACK POLICE
The unexpected attack on two police officers follows the release of a propaganda video by terror outfit Islamic State urging followers to target police in Australia.
In the video released online Monday, IS spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, encouraged Muslims to kill "disbelievers" in countries including Australia "in any manner".
IS URGES MUSLIMS TO KILL AUSTRALIAN 'UNBELIEVERS'
The 42-minute rant included an order to "strike their police, security and intelligence members, as well as their treacherous agents".
Police shooting near Endeavour Hills police station. Pic: Mike Keating Source: HeraldSun
"If you can kill a disbelieving American or European — especially the spiteful and filthy French — or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State … kill him in any manner or way however it may be," Adnani is heard saying, according to an English translation of the script.
Professor Greg Barton of the Global Terrorism Research Centre told news.com.au the video was "a game-changer".
"It confirms the strategies we've been working on are correct, it's a pep talk to rally their troops and this is confirmation of the way Islamic state is moving, towards direct attacks and very real threats here in Australia," he said.
The threat to police officers prompted Queensland Police Commisioner Ian Stewart to announce he would review Queensland Police Service strategies
"As a result of this, we will now reassess, as we do every time there is a specific threat, and review our strategies," he told The Courier-Mail.
Following last night's incident, the Queensland Police union has demanded more protection.
Union boss Ian Leavers urging the commissioner to let officers make applications to take their guns from work if they feel they are at threat.
"[Police] need to be able to protect themselves and others. If another act was to occur while they are on or off duty they have an obligation to defend people," he told AAP.
A man is arrested during terror raids in Sydney last week. Pic: NSW Police Source: News Corp Australia
IMMINENT THREATS
The attack comes as a plot to behead a random Government employee in a vicious terrorist attack has emerged.
The Courier-Mail has revealed an alleged terrorist plot involved the possible beheading of a Queensland "government official" who would be chosen at random, possibly while sitting at the front counter of an agency.
Police allege the plot is linked to 21-year-old Logan man Agim Kruezi, who was "days away" from carrying out an attack when he was arrested and charged two weeks ago.
Police say Australia's biggest ever anti-terror bust carried out in Sydney and Brisbane last Thursday thwarted plans for a random public execution.
Speaking in parliament yesterday, the PM said it was important to respond with "great strength" to disrupt the "imminent terrorist act".
"Regrettably, for some time to come, the delicate balance between freedom and security may have to shift," he said.
"There may be more restrictions on some so that there can be more protections for others.
"Creating new offences that are harder to beat on a technicality may be a small price to pay for saving lives and for maintaining the social fabric of an open, free and multicultural nation."
The speech was aimed at reassuring the public the government is doing all it can to keep the nation safe.
GLOBAL STRATEGY
The Prime Minister was last night on a plane from Canberra to New York to attend United Nations meetings dealing with the rising threat of IS.
Mr Abbott will address the United Nations General Assembly and attend a meeting of the Security Council chaired by US President Barack Obama.
Tony Abbott departs Canberra for the UN Security in New York. Pic: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is currently in New York attending global counter-terror talks and the United Nations Security Council, and has endorsed US air strikes on Syria targeting Islamic State, but said Australia would not join the attack.
Pentagon officials described the strikes, launched yesterday, as successful.
"These strikes were undertaken to disrupt imminent attack plotting against the United States and Western targets," Admiral John Kirby said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop at the Global Counter Terrorism Forum in New York Source: News Corp Australia
"It was through the careful planning and coordination of US Central Command's combined arms operations — Combined Air Operations Centre located in the region that these strikes were successful with minimal collateral damage."
NEW TERROR LAWS
In Canberra today, Attorney-General George Brandis will introduce a counterterrorism bill to parliament that will crack down on Australians travelling overseas to fight in conflict.
The new laws will give enforcement agencies powers to investigate, arrest and prosecute, making it easier to prosecute Australian jihadists when they return home from Mideast battlefields.
The bill will be referred to a committee for review, and Labor supports the committee inquiry being expedited and speeding up the public consultation process.
Tony Abbott delivers a statement on national security in federal Parliament on Tuesday. Source: News Corp Australia
At least 60 Australians were fighting in Iraq and Syria with the Islamic State group and another al-Qaeda offshoot, Jabhat al-Nursa, also known as the Nusra Front, the Prime Minister said on Tuesday, and more than 60 Australian would-be fighters had their passports cancelled to prevent them travelling to the Middle East.
Dozens of suspected fighters have already returned to Australia from the battlefields. Security agencies fear they now pose a domestic terrorist threat, AAP reports.
MUSLIM LEADERS: TRAGEDY HIGHLIGHTS FAILURE
The Islamic Council of Victoria has expressed "deep sorrow" over the incident on Tuesday night which left two officers in hospital, AAP reports.
"There needs to be a full and objective investigation into this incident to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated," the council said in a statement on Wednesday.
Victoria police forensic team start their investigation. Pic: Nicole Garmston Source: News Corp Australia
"This tragedy highlights the real cost of a failure to deal with these serious issues and why we have made numerous calls on the Australian government to deal with the root causes of alienation and disaffection of people such as this."
The council said it would support the man's family.
"There will be many questions that they will want answers to and in the fullness of time we expect that the events of last night will become clearer," the council said.
POLITICAL REACTION
Speaking in a video statement from Hawaii, Tony Abbott said the suspect mounted a "fierce attack" on the officers.
"Obviously this indicates that there are people in our community who are capable of very extreme acts," he said.
"It also indicates that the Police will be constantly vigilant to protect us against people who would do us harm."
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said on Wednesday morning he had been in contact with the Prime Minister and had briefed the leader of the opposition.
He urged the public to remain calm and feel confident that police, security services and the Government "are taking every possible step to ensure their safety and security of all our communities".
Victorian Premier Denis Napthine left a question-and-answer forum at Parliament House early last night as the drama unfolded.
Endeavour Hills is in the seat of federal MP Anthony Byrne, deputy chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
Endeavour Hills Police Station in Heatherton Rd. Source: News Corp Australia
The area was also the scene of an AFP raid on people who were linked to the Al Furqan centre, a religious instruction school, in 2012.
"My main concern is for the welfare of the officers involved," Mr Byrne said.
The MP told reporters in Canberra the attack was proof that lifting the terror threat level was justified, and is proved "this threat is real".
"It shows why we need to remain vigilant to keep our community safe," he said.
Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said the incident was "very concerning".
The homicide squad will investigate on behalf of the State Coroner, with the police Professional Standard Commands to oversee the investigation.
Originally published as Teen terror suspect shot dead
