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Two men have died after a knifeman wearing what appeared to be an explosive belt unleashed an “appalling” terror attack on a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
Three more casualties are being treated for serious injuries in hospital after the attacker, named by police as Jihad Al-Shamie, targeted worshippers marking Yom Kippur at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road in Crumpsall on Thursday morning.
The 35-year-old drove his car towards pedestrians before getting out and stabbing bystanders while terrified worshippers barricaded themselves inside the synagogue.
Within just seven minutes of the first 999 call at 9.31am, Al-Shamie was shot dead by armed police who feared he would detonate an explosive belt strapped to his waist, which was later found not to be viable.
He is understood to be a British national of Syrian descent, who entered the UK as a very young child, and was granted citizenship in 2006 as a minor.
Police do not believe
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