Canada police thwart potential attack, suspect 'shot dead'

Canadian police shot dead an alleged Islamic State sympathizer armed with an explosive device on Wednesday, media reports said, as police confirmed they thwarted a "potential terror threat". 

There was no immediate confirmation from Canada's federal police that anyone had been shot, with a statement saying only that a suspect had been identified and that they had taken "action" after receiving "credible information" about a potential attack. 

"Earlier today, the RCMP received credible information of a potential terrorist threat. A suspect was identified and the proper course of action has been taken to ensure that there is no danger to the public's safety," the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement.

They did not say where the incident took place.  

Media reports said the suspect was a 24-year-old man who had been arrested in 2015 for expressing support for the Islamic State group in postings on social media. He had been released in February but was being monitored. 

Canadian broadcaster CBC identified him as Aaron Driver, saying he was shot dead during a police raid in Strathroy, a residential area in southern Ontario which lies about 220 kilometers (140 miles) southwest of Toronto. 

According to a relative who spoke to CBC, police informed the family that he was shot dead after detonating an explosive device, injuring himself and one other person, whose condition was unclear.

They told the family they had to shoot him because he had a second device which he was planning to detonate, CBC said. 

Broadcaster CTV also said the suspect was allegedly linked to IS and had been planning to set off an explosive device in a packed public space in a major city, citing internal government documents.

- 'Credible information' -

The RCMP said an investigation was under way as the matter "continues to unfold," and no other details from officials were immediately available.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said he had discussed the incident with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and that the security forces had acted effectively. 

"Earlier today, the RCMP received credible information regarding a potential terrorist threat and took action to ensure public safety," he said in a statement. 

"Canadians can be confident that whenever credible information is obtained about a potential terrorist threat, the RCMP, CSIS and other police and security agencies take the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of this country and its citizens. 

"These agencies conducted themselves effectively in the circumstances that developed today."

- Lone wolf attacks -

Canada was the target of two separate lone wolf attacks in October 2014 in Quebec and Ottawa that resulted in the death of two soldiers.

In Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Montreal, a young man drove his car into two soldiers, killing one of them before being shot dead by police.

Two days later, another attacker killed a ceremonial guard before trying to storm Canada's parliament before being shot dead by security guards only meters (yards) from a room where the prime minister and his caucus were meeting.

Following these attacks, the Conservative government passed a bill giving the RCMP and Canada's spy agency sweeping powers to thwart terror plots and prevent Canadian youth from flying overseas to join IS militants in Syria.

Canada joined the US-led coalition against IS in September 2014.

But after Trudeau's Liberals unseated the Tories in a general election last year, he scaled back Canada's participation in the coalition, ordering the withdrawal of Canadian fighter jets but increasing the number of military trainers in Iraq.

On several occasions, Trudeau has reaffirmed his government's commitment to "fight terrorism in all its forms" and work closely with allies.

Source: AFP