IS-inspired man mows down 8 in NY

New York, November 1

A man allegedly inspired by the ISIS ploughed a pick-up truck down a crowded bike path in a borough here, killing eight persons and injuring 11 in what is being described as the deadliest terrorist attack on the New York City since September 11, 2001.

The suspect, 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov said to be from Uzbekistan, was shot in the stomach before being arrested. He came to the US in 2010. The incident took place along the normally gridlocked West Side Highway, a major thoroughfare that runs along the western edge of Manhattan by the Hudson river. Manhattan is the most densely populated borough of the New York City.

Police said the truck drove south after entering a pedestrian and bicycle path, where it struck multiple people.

Six men were pronounced dead at the scene on the cycle lane and two other people were dead on arrival at the hospital.

After smashing the truck into the school bus, injuring two adults and two children, the suspect exited the truck displaying “imitation firearms” and was shot by police, according to the New York police department.

An official said he rented the truck from a Home Depot in New Jersey.

 The victims included a Belgian citizen and five Argentinians. The truck driver shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ after getting out of the vehicle, New York Post reported. A note in English was found in the truck that referred to so-called Islamic State, reports said.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said the incident was being treated as an act of terror, “a particularly cowardly act of terror”. The US Justice Department said in a statement that a joint terrorism task force that included the FBI, the NYPD and others was investigating the attack.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke has been briefed on the apparent act of terrorism that occurred in New York City, an official statement said. The department is closely monitoring the situation and working with federal, state and local partners in responding to and investigating this tragedy. 

 “We are referring all questions about the investigation to the FBI and the New York Police Department,” the statement said. New York has been largely spared from terrorism since nearly 3,000 people were killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The most recent violence from terrorism there came in September 2016, when a man set off shrapnel-packed explosives in the Chelsea neighbourhood of Manhattan. Nobody was killed, but 30 people were injured. — PTI

Trump for ‘extreme immigrant vetting’ 

Washington: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had ordered more robust “extreme vetting” of travellers coming into the US in the aftermath of the New York attack. “I have just ordered Homeland Security to step up our already extreme vetting programme. Being politically correct is fine, but not for this!” Trump tweeted. He said he would consider sending the assailant to Guantanamo Bay. PTI

Halloween parade marches on 

New York: Thousands of merry-makers, many dressed in elaborate Halloween costumes, paraded through lower Manhattan on Tuesday, undeterred by the attack. Revellers who joined the 44th annual Village Halloween Parade said they were painfully aware that eight people were killed in what authorities say was an act of terrorism but carried on with the festivities to show fortitude and solidarity with the victims. Reuters

Reunion trip ends in tragedy for 5 friends

New York: Five of the dead were Argentine tourists, visiting New York as part of a group of friends celebrating the 30th anniversary of their high school graduation. The Argentinian government is “deeply shocked by the death of the compatriots and is working to help the relatives and friends of the victims,” the foreign ministry said. “Argentina reaffirms its strongest condemnation of terrorist acts and violence in all its manifestations,” it added in the statement. Reuters, AFP

Suspect an Uber driver

• Sayfullo Saipov, 29, came to the US from Uzbekistan in 2010 and had a green card that allowed permanent legal residence. He had apparently lived in Paterson, New Jersey, and Tampa, Florida, the New York Times reported
• An Uber driver, Saipov rented a truck from a home depot in Passaic, New Jersey, before driving it into Manhattan, officials said. After the attack, investigators found a handwritten note from the rental truck in which Saipov had declared his allegiance to the IS
• Saipov, a slim, bearded man, was seen in videos running through traffic after the attack with a paintball gun in one hand and a pellet gun in the other
• A marriage licence registered in Ohio listed Saipov marrying 19-year-old Nozima Odilova in 2013. IANS

Michelle and I are thinking of the victims of today’s attack in NYC and everyone who keeps us safe. New Yorkers are as tough as they come. Barak Obama, former US President

New Yorkers see this attack for what it is — an attempt to sow fear. We stand against terror as we grieve for the victims and thank the @NYPD. Bill Clinton, former president

New York’s resilience is stronger than a cowardly act of terror. Thinking of the victims, their families, & the responders who saved lives Hillary Clinton, former White House contender