Anti-terrorism operation in Sydney: Police investigate terrorism in city after Wakeley terror act

The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism team is searching properties across the city on Wednesday afternoon as part of an ongoing investigation, an AFP spokesperson said.

There is no current threat to public safety and no connection to Anzac Day commemorations,” the spokesperson said.

More information will be provided this afternoon.

It comes a week after a live-streamed church service at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in Sydney’s south-west on April 15.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly repeatedly stabbed with a knife by a 16-year-old boy.

The 53-year-old religious leader suffered lacerations to his head and was rushed to hospital. Three other people were also injured.

A crowd of about 2000 people swarmed the church after the attack, allegedly causing damage to police and ambulance vehicles.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb declared the stabbing attack a “terrorist act” during a 2am meeting with the NSW Premier and counter-terrorism authorities.

“The things that influenced my decision to declare this a terrorist incident was the actions of the individual who attended, we will allege attended that church … armed with a knife and stabbed the bishop and priest,” she told reporters.

“We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious-motivated extremism.”

The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) took carriage of the investigation led by the NSW Police Force under Operation Kilchurn.

It comprises of members of the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.