Authorities are treating the deadly attack on a Jewish synagogue in Manchester, which left two people dead, as a terrorist act.

According to a statement by Lawrence Taylor, head of the UK’s National Counter Terrorism Policing, cited by Sky News, the attack at the synagogue is being investigated as a terrorist incident. He also stated that two arrests have been made in connection with the case.

“Based on the evidence we have, counterterrorism police have declared the incident as terrorism,” Taylor said, adding that special units are “now conducting the investigation into what happened.”

Taylor noted that authorities believe they know the attacker’s identity, but “for security reasons at the crime scene, we cannot confirm this at this stage.”

“We will ensure that every piece of information and evidence is examined. We are working closely with security services to ensure we have a full picture of the intelligence in the coming days and weeks,” he added.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer returned early from the European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen following the attack, and is currently at Downing Street for an emergency COBRA meeting.

It is worth noting that the man believed to be the attacker is now dead, after being shot by police.

The attack took place during Yom Kippur (translated: “Day of Atonement”), a sacred day for Jews, observed from October 1st to 2nd.

According to information and video footage released by the Daily Mail, on Thursday morning the man plowed into the crowd with a car, then stabbed one person.

In the video, the man can be seen lurking outside the synagogue, wearing a belt that police are almost certain was a “suicide belt” containing explosives.

A witness to the tragic event told the same outlet that the attacker, “moved from victim to victim in a robotic manner, as if he had a job to do, targeting anyone wearing a kippah (a type of head covering worn by Jews).”

A bomb disposal unit was called to the scene amid fears that the attacker might try to detonate the explosive device believed to be attached to his belt.

Manchester police also noted that:

“Three other members of the public remain in serious condition.”

“A large number of people who were praying inside the synagogue at the time were kept inside, and the immediate area was secured, but has since been evacuated,” they added.

According to Sky News, Manchester police have declared PLATO — the national protocol used by police and emergency services when responding to a marauding terrorist attack.