Police warning averts possible armed attack on Porsgrunn mosque
A police alert about a gun-armed suspect prompted the swift lockdown of the Khalid mosque in Porsgrunn, preventing any violence.
On Saturday evening, Abdul Rehman Malik, the chair of Porsgrunn trossamfunn Khalid moské, was contacted by police at about 19:20 with an urgent warning that a pistol-wielding individual was planning to attack the mosque. The authorities immediately locked the building, preventing anyone inside from leaving and stopping outsiders from entering. About ten worshippers were inside; two, Abdo Almohmid and Akram Bismar, recounted the terror they felt while waiting for police.
A mosque member had spotted the gunman and called the police, a chance observation that likely saved lives. Police deployed a large force and arrested the suspect within an hour, and no injuries occurred. The incident revived memories of the 2019 Philip Manshaus attack on a Bærum mosque, highlighting the importance of rapid police response to potential extremist threats.
Why it matters
It shows how quick police action can prevent a possible terrorist attack on a religious community.
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