Infosys employee among hostages at Sydney cafe

IT major says family of the employee has been informed and that they are extending all possible support to them

Even as the hostage scenario unfolds at Sydney, Australia, India's second largest IT services provider Infosys confirmed that one of its employees has been taken hostage.

“We can confirm that one Infosys employee is among the hostages at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney. We are also confirming the whereabouts of all our other employees there. We are in constant touch with authorities and Indian Consulate in Sydney for updates on the situation on ground,” said the company in a statement.

The company further said that the family of the employee has been informed and it is extending all possible support to them in this difficult time.

It has been more than nine-hours since a gunmen took 15 people at a popular Cafe in Sydney hostages. Based on the recent development and TV reports the gunman has demanded an Islamic State flag and wants to talk to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

According to the report, the armed man has told the hostages that he planted four bombs.

The gunman said two bombs are planted inside the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Martin Place and the others elsewhere in the Central Business District, Sky News channel reported quoting Network Ten.

Infosys has some 2,500 employees in Australia including many in Sydney. Meanwhile, other major Indian IT companies which have large operations in the country are trying to get details of their employees and are working on contingency plans to ensure continuity of business.

While a Cognizant spokesperson said all its employees in Sydney are safe and the company has not issued any advisory so far, Wipro said in an email, “We are continuously monitoring the developments in Sydney. Our employees are safe and our business operations remain unaffected and continue as normal.”

An Indian official in Sydney working for one of Australia's leading telecom services provider said that the entire area and the buildings have enhanced the security arrangements and none of the employees are being allowed to leave without advisory from the local police.

“Besides, all the buildings in and around the place where the incident has happened are being evacuated," he said. The person 0added that his company has advised all employees to monitor the situation and if required to work from home tomorrow.