In Pics: Canadian Parliament shootout

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India, which has experienced a horrific terrorist attack on its Parliament, can share the sense of outrage among Canadian people over the attack on their Parliament and assured that his government was committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation for combating terrorism. A day after he described the attack yesterday on the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa as “deeply disturbing”, Modi said in a statement, “I strongly condemn the attacks on the Canadian military personnel in Quebec and Ottawa and the shooting in the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa.“A Parliament is a temple of democracy and holds a special place in the hearts of those who believe in democratic ideals. As a nation that has experienced a horrific terrorist attack on its Parliament, we share the sense of outrage and trauma of the people of Canada over the attack on the highest institution of democracy.” A barrage of gunshots were fired both inside and outside the Canadian Parliament building before security forces gunned down a man suspected of killing a soldier in the attack. Parliament Hill came under attack when a man with a rifle shot a soldier standing guard at the nearby National War Memorial here.The motive of the attack was not known but it came two days after a recent convert to Islam killed one Canadian soldier and injured another in a hit-and-run before being shot to death by police.Modi said, “I express, on behalf of the people of India, our condolences to the people of Canada for the loss of their soldiers and our solidarity with them at this difficult moment.“Canada is one of India's strongest partners and we will continue to strengthen our cooperation in combating terrorism and other crimes for a safer future for our people.”Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said that Canada will not be intimidated by the attack on the Parliament and the brazen assault strengthened their resolve to redouble the efforts in fighting terrorism.“We will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated,” Harper said in a brief address to the nation after an attack on the Parliament Hill.“In fact, this will lead us to strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts - and those of our national security agencies - to take all necessary steps to identify and counter threats and keep Canada safe here at home,” the Toronto Star quoted him as saying. A visibly shaken Prime Minister said his government will take “all the necessary steps” to keep Canadians safe, without being specific about the measures he plans to take.Parliament Hill came under attack yesterday when a gunman shot and killed a soldier standing guard at the nearby National War Memorial here, before seizing a car and driving to the doors of building's Centre Block.Heavily armed officers backed by armored vehicles sealed off the Parliament building.Harper condemned the second “brutal and violent” attack this week, particularly the “cold-blooded murder” of the soldier. He said the incidents were direct attacks on Canadian democracy, values and society.“This week's incidents are a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to the types of terror attacks we have seen elsewhere around the world,” he said.“Attacks on our security personnel and on our institutions of government are by their very nature attacks on our country, on our values, on our society and on us Canadians,” he said.Ottawa police confirmed shots were fired in three locations: the war memorial, inside Centre Block of the Parliament and at the Rideau Centre.The motive of the attack was not known but it came two days after a recent convert to Islam killed one Canadian soldier and injured another in a hit-and-run before being shot to death by police.The US Embassy was also locked down after reports of shots being fired. The US and Canadian air defenses were placed on heightened alert after the shootings.Canada's Parliament came under attack today with a barrage of gunshots fired both inside and outside the building as a soldier was killed in the assault and a man with a rifle was gunned down by security forces.Parliament Hill came under attack when a man with a rifle shot a soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa, before seizing a car and driving to the doors of building's Centre Block nearby.The injured soldier later succumbed to his wounds. “Condolences to family of the soldier killed and prayers for the parliamentary guard wounded. Canada will not be terrorised or intimidated,” Employment Minister Jason Kenney said on Twitter.MPs and other witnesses reported several shots fired inside Parliament and a gunman has been confirmed dead inside the building shot by the House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.Ottawa police confirmed shots were fired in three locations: the war memorial, inside Centre Block of the Parliament and at the Rideau Centre. The downtown area remained in police lockdown.One suspect was believed to be at large, reports said. Police were searching cars leaving Ottawa and trying to go to Quebec.A sustained volley of shots was fired. Startled security personnel and political staff scrambled to take cover in the limestone alcoves as bullets flew.Alain Merisier, who works at the cafeteria in one of the Parliament Buildings, said he saw a man in a car at the Centre Block with a long gun.There were unconfirmed reports that a person was injured outside the Library of the Parliament.“We were waiting there for a city tour and suddenly I heard four shots,” said Jan Luchtenburg, a tourist visiting Ottawa from Holland.“Suddenly I saw a small guy with long black hair... with a long rifle, and he ran away after the shots, across streets in the direction of Parliament Hill,” he said. The National War Memorial stands in Confederation Square in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The Parliament Buildings are to the northeast.Scott Walsh, who was working on Parliament Hill, said he saw a man running with a double-barrelled shotgun, wearing a scarf and blue jeans.The Prime Minister's Office said Stephen Harper is safe and not on Parliament Hill. Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau are also safe, reports said.The US Embassy was also locked down after reports of shots being fired.The US and Canadian air defenses were placed on heightened alert after the shootings.The attack came two days after a recent convert to Islam killed one Canadian soldier and injured another in a hit-and-run before being shot to death by police.