Dec 15, 2014 22:44 (IST)The hostage crisis in Sydney is over. Vishwakant Ankit Reddy is safe. He is undergoing some medical check ups and will be back home safe.- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 15, 2014Another Indian hostage Shri Pushpendu Ghosh is also safe.- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 15, 2014We were in constant touch with our mission in Sydney and the family of Shri Reddy. The PM was monitoring the situation throughout.- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 15, 2014Dec 15, 2014 22:34 (IST)2 Indians Held Hostage in Sydney Cafe Are Safe, Says GovernmentTwo Indians who were among an unknown number of people held hostage for over 16 hours by an armed man in a Sydney cafe, are safe, the Ministry of External Affairs has said.Dec 15, 2014 22:34 (IST)Police Storm Cafe to End Sydney Hostage SiegeA swarm of heavily armed police stormed a cafe in the heart of downtown Sydney early Tuesday, ending a siege where a gunman had been holding an unknown number of people hostage for more than 16 hours.Dec 15, 2014 21:24 (IST) The siege at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Central Business District, has ended with police storming the building. An employee of the Infosys, who was among the hostages, has among those freed after the nearly 17-hour-long stand-off.Dec 15, 2014 21:06 (IST) As per latest reports, at least 12 hostages have emerged from the Sydney cafe which has been under siege for more than 17 hours now.Dec 15, 2014 21:00 (IST) Police is seen carrying injured people out of the cafe at the centre of the Sydney Siege.Dec 15, 2014 20:50 (IST)JUST IN:Australian media is reporting that the police has stormed into the Lindt cafe in Sydney, where a gunman is holding hostages.Dec 15, 2014 20:49 (IST) More hostages have emerged from the cafe in Sydney which has been under siege for over 15 hours now. A loud bang accompanied the fleeing of at least five more hostages. A gunman identified as Man Haron Monis, an Iranian refugee, is holding the hostages at the cafe in Sydney's Central Business District.Dec 15, 2014 20:15 (IST)Sydney Siege: Hostage Taker is Iranian Refugee Man Haron Monis, Say Police SourceAn Iranian refugee convicted of sexual assault and known for sending hate letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed overseas is the armed man holding an unknown number of hostages in a Sydney cafe, a police source said on Tuesday.Dec 15, 2014 17:54 (IST)Dec 15, 2014 16:02 (IST)Sydney Siege: Infosys Says its Employee is Among Hostages An employee of Indian IT major Infosys is among those being held hostage at a popular cafe in Sydney, Australia since early this morning, the company said in a statement today.(Image courtesy: Associated Press)Dec 15, 2014 15:14 (IST)IT giant Infosys confirms its employee is among hostages held in cafe in SydneyFamily of the employee have been informed about the matter, extending them support: Infosys Dec 15, 2014 14:56 (IST) Gunman in Sydney has allegedly warned that four bombs have been planted around the city. Dec 15, 2014 14:11 (IST)India's High Commission in Canberra too can be contacted for information. Dy High Commissioner Surinder Datta at +61 419687008- Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) December 15, 2014Dec 15, 2014 14:11 (IST). @victorbhave Correct spelling of the Dy Consul General in Sydney is Dr Viond Bahade at phone +61 481 453550. Earlier error inadvertent- Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) December 15, 2014Dec 15, 2014 13:58 (IST)Sydney Opera House Cancels Tonight's PerformancesThe Opera House in Sydney cancelled on Monday night's performances in the light of the situation in the central business district here, where over 30 people are being held hostage by a gunman at a cafe.(Image courtesy: Agence France-Presse)Dec 15, 2014 13:24 (IST)Dec 15, 2014 13:10 (IST)Sydney Hostage Crisis: Police Negotiators in Contact with GunmanAn armed man held several hostages inside a popular cafe in Sydney on Monday morning and forced some of them to hold up a black flag with white Arabic writing against the window, sparking a security lock-down in the heart of Australia's commercial capital. Hours later, five people ran out of the building that was under siege.(Image courtesy: Associated Press)Dec 15, 2014 12:50 (IST)Indian Consulate in Sydney Evacuated, Staff Safe Says GovernmentThe Indian Consulate in Sydney was today evacuated in view of the hostage situation in a cafe near its premises and all the staff members are safe, the External Affairs Ministry today said.(Image courtesy: Press Trust of India)Dec 15, 2014 12:45 (IST) Sydney Siege: Reports of armed offender in cafe expressing demand to speak with Australia PM Tony AbbottThere are also reports of armed offender demanding an Islamic State flag to be brought to the cafe.Dec 15, 2014 11:58 (IST)Sydney Hostage Crisis: After 6 Hours, 5 People Seen Running Out of Fire EscapeThree people ran out a fire exit of a Sydney cafe where a gunman took an unknown number of people hostage at the height of Monday morning rush hour. Later, two more persons were seen escaping from the Sydney building.Dec 15, 2014 11:57 (IST)BREAKING: 2 more people seen fleeing Sydney building at center of hostage drama, bringing total of those who escaped to 5.- The Associated Press (@AP) December 15, 2014Dec 15, 2014 11:16 (IST)In case of queries about Indian nationals following events in Sydney contact Dr Vinod Bahade Dy Consul General at phone +61 481 453550- Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) December 15, 2014Dec 15, 2014 10:58 (IST)Indian Cricketers' Security Beefed Up in Brisbane Following Hostage Crisis "We are constantly in touch with Cricket Australia top bosses. We are monitoring the situation closely and security of our players is paramount. The players are in Brisbane and everything is normal there," BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel told PTI."However, the security of the Indian team has been beefed up considerably. We have been informed by Cricket Australia that additional police forces have been deployed with the Indian team. We are happy with what CA has arranged," he added.Dec 15, 2014 10:56 (IST)Indian consul general to NDTV:We have been in touch with security agencies in SydneyIndian consulate in Sydney 400 metres from site of the siegeDec 15, 2014 10:54 (IST)Sydney Hostage Crisis: 3 People Have Come Out of Cafe, Say PoliceAn armed gunman took an unknown number of hostages inside a popular cafe; in Sydney on Monday morning and forced some of them to hold up a black flag with white Arabic writing against the window, sparking a security lock-down in the heart of Australia's commercial capital. The Australian police have confirmed that three people have come out using the side entrance.Dec 15, 2014 10:46 (IST)Sydney Hostage Crisis: Australian National Imams Council Condemns SiegeThe Australian National Imams Council, commenting on the siege at a Sydney cafe on Monday, said it "condemns this criminal act unequivocally".Dec 15, 2014 10:38 (IST)Sydney Hostage Crisis: 10 Latest DevelopmentsAn armed gunman took an unknown number of hostages inside a popular cafe; in Sydney on Monday and forced some of them to hold up a black flag with white Arabic writing against the window, sparking a security lockdown in the heart of Australia's commercial capital.Dec 15, 2014 10:38 (IST)Australian Police Say No Contact with Hostage-Taker in Sydney CafeAustralian police have said they had not had any direct contact with an armed offender holding an undisclosed number of people hostage at a cafe in central Sydney.Dec 15, 2014 10:36 (IST)Australian police briefs media:No information to suggest anyone has been harmedPolice negotiators are at the job, they're some of the best in the worldFor those in buildings facing Martin Place, please stay in themEveryone else, it is okay to leave, go homePolice resources dealing with situationCan confirm three people have emerged from the locationDec 15, 2014 10:34 (IST) Police say three people have come out of cafe where an armed offender has taken hostages. Dec 15, 2014 09:32 (IST)Lindt Cafe's statement on the seigeThe following statement was posted on Lindt Cafe's Facebook page:"We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and kind support over the current situation at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe at Martin Place. We are deeply concerned over this serious incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the staff and customers involved and all their friends and families. The matter is being dealt with by the authorities and we are waiting for any updates from them."Dec 15, 2014 09:29 (IST)Indian consulate in Sydney closed down as a precautionary measure Dec 15, 2014 09:00 (IST)Offices in Sydney being evacuated (Agence France-Presse Photo)Dec 15, 2014 08:54 (IST)The incident in Sydney is disturbing. Such acts are inhuman & deeply unfortunate. I pray for everyone's safety.- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2014Dec 15, 2014 08:51 (IST)US Consulate near hostage cafe evacuated, security warning issued The consulate has also issued an emergency warning to US citizens in Sydney, urging them to "maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security".Dec 15, 2014 08:48 (IST)Major landmarks in the city, including Sydney Opera house, evacuated Dec 15, 2014 08:45 (IST)Police briefing on hostage situationPolice, public being tested but we'll face it head onDoing all possible that needs to be doneTransport - ask people to avoid Martin PlacePublic asked to stay aware, vigilant and patientCan confirm that an armed offender holding unknown number of hostagesContinuing to secure and make sure we can bring about peaceful outcomeTight restrictions, control around areaOfficers there are well-trained, professional, striving for positive outcomeDec 15, 2014 08:43 (IST)Police Responding to 'Incident' at Sydney Opera HouseAustralian authorities are dealing with an "incident" at Sydney's Opera House, police said Monday, without elaborating on whether it was related to an ongoing siege at a nearby cafe.Dec 15, 2014 08:42 (IST)In Pictures: Hostage Situation in Cafe in Sydney, Islamic Flag Held UpReports said that as many as 20 hostages were held inside a cafe in central Sydney with a siege underway and an Islamic flag held up to a window.Dec 15, 2014 08:42 (IST)Sydney Hostage Crisis: Several Held Inside Cafe, Islamic Flag Displayed Against WindowTerrified hostages cowered inside a cafe in central Sydney with an Islamic flag displayed against a window, sparking a security lockdown in an area home to government and corporate headquarters.Also ReadBritish Woman Stabbed To Death In Australian 'Extremist' AttackSenior British Police To Review Sydney Cafe Siege ResponseAustralia Honours Victims of Deadly Siege as Sydney Cafe Reopens