Sydney hostage crisis: Terrorists sending message of what they can do, says expert

Major General (retd.) S R Sinho on Monday said terrorists through the Sydney hostage crisis are sending out a message to important nations of the world that this is what they can do.

"And, this is a pattern of all Islamic terrorists. They always select a very important center for their activities. They have also shown black flags with some Arabic writing on them and they have also put the people with their hands up on the windows," said Major General (retd.) Sinho.

"The pattern of this operation is that they have selected the most important place, it is the business center and this activity sends a message to the complete nation of Australia. This is the normal pattern that these people follow and I am confident and I am almost sure that this will be a terrorist activity pertaining in this place," he added.

Major General (retd.) Sinho said Australia until now was peaceful and the terrorists have by this activity sent a message that now they can go out anywhere in the world.

He said the attack is a threat to India also as it is the most vulnerable country

"We have mixed population, many incidents have happened in India earlier also. So, it is a matter of great concern and these people mean business and all these peace loving nations have to watch about their activities specially the IS and terrorists," he said.

Major Gen (retd.) Sinho further said terrorist activities will continue to increase till the time genuine effort is made by various nations to control their activities.

Earlier in the day, an armed man took an undisclosed number of people hostage at the Martin Place Cafe in Sydney and displayed a black flag with Arabic script in the window, sparking a security alert in Australia.

Authorities in Australia have reportedly sealed off surrounding streets in Sydney, evacuated people from buildings, and suspended rail services following the incident.