One of the two officers stabbed by Islamic teen terrorist Numan Haider outside a police station has revealed intimate details about the frenzied attack.
The counter-terrorism officers had arranged to meet Haider outside Melbourne’s Endeavour Hills police station when he pulled out a knife.
Now Officer A, whose name has been concealed to protect his identity, has spoken out about the moment he was forced to shoot the radicalised 18-year-old in the head, and how 77-second attack has changed his life.
One of the two police officers stabbed by Islamic terrorist Numan Haider (pictured) has revealed intimate details about the frenzied attack
The counter-terrorism officers had arranged to meet Haider (pictured) outside Melbourne’s Endeavour Hills police station when he pulled out a knife
Now Officer A has spoken out about the moment he was forced to shoot the radicalised teenager in the head, and how 77-second attack has changed his life (pictured is the scene of the attack)
‘It was a planned ambush. He was there to kill us, he had the ideology to do it and the capabilities, and he paid the price for his hatred and intolerance,’ Officer A said of the 2014 attack,The Herald Sun reported.
Officers A, of Victoria Police, and Officer B, of the Australian Federal Police, were part of a Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigating Haider.
The 18-year-old, who had moved to Australia from Afghanistan when he was seven, was under investigation after being spotted waving an ISIS-linked flag.
ASIO had detected the teenager searching for Holsworthy Army Base, information on detonators, and the whereabouts of then-prime minister Tony Abbott.
When the officers met Haider he came walking towards them with his right hand in his pocket, and Officer A recalled worrying he might be holding a knife.
Haider then shook hands with the officers and consented to a search, but just as Officer A began to pat him down Haider struck his first blow.
‘It was a planned ambush. He was there to kill us, he had the ideology to do it and the capabilities, and he paid the price for his hatred and intolerance,’ Officer A said of the September 23 2014 attack (pictured is Haider’s body being removed by the coroner)
Officer A said he was stabbed in the left forearm and wrist before falling to the ground.
‘Numan then walks straight past me. My partner at this stage has seen something in the corner of his eye and then he’s been stabbed straight through the chest, missing his heart by a centimetre,’ said Officer A.
Officer B was then stabbed multiple times while being knocked over and trying to kick Haider away, Officer A said.
Ignoring Officer A’s shouts, the teenager continued with his brutal attack on Officer B, who was trying to draw his gun.
‘I have two options, shoot at the legs or the head, so I unclip the firearm and fire a reactive shot at Numan’s head, which kills him instantly,’ Officer A remembered.
Officers A, of Victoria Police, and Officer B, of the Australian Federal Police, were part of a Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigating Haider (pictured is the scene of the attack)
The 18-year-old, who had moved to Australia from Afghanistan when he was seven, was under investigation after being spotted waving an ISIS-linked flag (pictured is a forensic officer investigating the attack)
Officer A then described the feeling of relief that washed over him when his partner confirmed he was okay.
The whole encounter had taken only 77 seconds, but it was 77 seconds that would leave both officers changed forever.
Ever since the attack he has been dealing with the physical and psychological effects, Officer A said, and he will never forget witnessing his partner get stabbed.
He said he was humbled by the support he got from Victoria Police and the AFP, his colleagues, and members of the public.
ASIO had detected the teenager searching for Holsworthy Army Base, information on detonators, and the whereabouts of then-prime minister Tony Abbott (pictured is the scene)
A coronial inquest into the attack completed in September this year found the two officers had no choice but to use lethal force in dealing with Haider (pictured are police holding evidence bags in the aftermath of the attack)
Officer A also described the moment he was reunited with his partner in hospital, and how the experience has made them the closest of friends.
As for their attacker, Officer A said he harbours no hatred towards Haider, but is not sad the young terrorist perished that day.
A coronial inquest into the attack completed in September this year found the two officers had no choice but to use lethal force in dealing with Haider.
‘There was no time or opportunity for the officers to use a lower force to prevent further injuries,’ Victorian coroner John Olle said in his findings.
Mr Olle made no adverse findings against ASIO, Victoria Police, or the Australian Federal Police.
As for their attacker, Officer A said he harbours no hatred towards Haider (pictured), but is not sad the young terrorist perished that day