Pro-ISIS Telegram channels celebrate New York City terror attack with morbid posters

Soon after a truck mowed down and killed eight people in New York City, pro-ISIS channels on Telegram began celebrating the terrorist attack.

IndiaToday.in  | Written by Dev Goswami
New Delhi, November 1, 2017 | UPDATED 08:58 IST
Multiple bikes are crushed along a bike path in lower Manhattan in New York, NY, U.S., October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidMultiple bikes are crushed along a bike path in lower Manhattan in New York, NY, U.S., October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

A rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists in the United States of America's financial capital New York City on Tuesday, killing at least eight people and injuring another 11.

The 29-year-old driver of the truck, which climbed onto a bicycle path in New York's Manhattan and barrelled down the track for around a kilometer before coming to a halt, was arrested by the police after being shot non-fatally in the abdomen.

US media reported that the man had been identified as Sayfullo Saipov and that he shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is great) before he was taken down by a New York City Police officer.

While authorities termed it a suspected act of terrorism, there was no immediate information available regarding which terrorist group may be responsible for the truck attack. President Donald Trump, while condemning the "terrorist attack", invoked the name of the global militant group Islamic State.

"We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough!" Trump said in a series of tweets.

Emergency crews attend the scene of an alleged shooting incident on West Street in Manhattan, New York, U.S., October 31 2017. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

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ISIS, on the other hand, remained mum and did not officially advance a claim of responsibility for the New York City attack.

However soon after the attack, pro-Islamic State groups on Telegram, an encrypted chat application preferred by the terrorist group and its supports, started voicing their joy at the deaths in New York, posting morbid photos and posters.

Journalists and private intelligence firms that cover terrorist groups shared a number of these posters on Twitter.

The following was shared by New York Times journalist Rukini Callimachi:

It should be noted that Islamic State, as of last updating this report, did not put out a statement claiming responsibility for the New York City attack.

Rita Katz, the director of the SITE Intelligence Group, too tweeted about pro-ISIS channels erupting in joy after reports of the New York City attack came in.

Police authorities in the United States are to ascribe the New York attack to any particular terrorist group.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an early morning tweet, condemned the attack, posting, "Strongly condemn the terror attack in New York City. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with those injured."