Ajit Karn
Lisbon, Portugal: Tuesday, a knife attack at an Islamic center in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon resulted in the deaths of two people and the injuries of several others, according to police.
Premier Antonio Costa stated that it was imprudent to draw any conclusions about this criminal conduct.
He told reporters, “Everything points to this being an isolated incident.”
Television images in Portugal depicted armed police in front of the Ismaili Muslim center.
“The attack resulted in multiple injuries and two fatalities,” police said in a statement, adding that the suspect had been shot and apprehended.
The police arrived at the building shortly before 11 a.m. (1000 GMT) after being informed of an ongoing knife attack.
“The police encounter a male carrying a sizable knife. The perpetrator was given orders to cease the attack, which he disobeyed by advancing with a knife towards the police, according to the police statement.
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“Confronted with a grave and persistent threat, the officers fired their weapons, striking and neutralizing the aggressor.”
The Imami Shia According to their website, Ismaili Muslims, also known as Ismailis, adhere to the Shia branch of Islam.
It states that Ismaili Muslims are a “culturally diverse community” residing in over 25 countries across the globe.
Approximately 7,000 Ismaili Muslims reside in Portugal, a country of approximately 10 million inhabitants.
