Sydney police stormed the cafe where Islamic Cleric Haron was holding several people hostage.
At least four people were injured during the operation.
Several shots were fired into the cafe.
Islamic cleric Sheikh Haron Monis, who went by several names, took hostages at the Lyndt Cafe in Martin Place.
The imam was known to police.
The hostage taker in Sidney is Sheik Haron Monis – A man who previously sent hate mail to Australian war widows.
The Daily Mail reported:
Police stormed a cafe in central Sydney early Tuesday where a gunman held more than a dozen hostages for more than 16 hours, firing automatic weapons and throwing grenades moments after captives were seen fleeing the buidling in terror.
A scene of pandemonium erupted in the early morning just minutes after hostages started emerging from the cafe on their own or in small groups.
Eleven hostages were reportedly accounted for after the police raid – Nine News reported. Sky News reported four people were injured. Live TV footage showed at least two people being taken away on stretchers but there was no confirmation of details.
One hostage was seen being carried out of the building. The woman seemed quite distressed and in a lot of pain as blood gushing from her legs.
After the raid, a bomb disposal robot was seen entering the cafe.
The dramatic end stage of the siege came as the gunman holding the remaining captives was revealed as a self-proclaimed Islamic cleric Man Haron Monis.
Remaining hostages flee as tactical police storm Sydney cafe: http://t.co/RelCWWjfDQ – @ABCNewsLive pic.twitter.com/Hkoe9Ja4so
— ABC News (@ABC) December 15, 2014
UPDATE: Three people were killed during the rescue attempt.
