President, premier order heightened security after Taipei attacks

Taipei, Dec. 19 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) pledged Friday that the government will do its utmost to ensure public safety with heightened security measures introduced in the wake of smoke grenade and knife attacks by a single assailant in downtown Taipei earlier in the day.

Lai added in a Facebook post that a thorough investigation will be conducted in accordance with the law, and efforts made to swiftly clarify the facts of the attacks that resulted in two deaths and several others being injured.

Meanwhile, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said he has instructed the National Police Agency to heighten security at railway stations, mass rapid transit (MRT) stations and airports nationwide.

At around 5 p.m. Friday, a man threw a smoke grenade in MRT Taipei Main Station, and several hours later attacked random citizens with a knife near MRT Zhongshan Station, which left at least two people dead and several seriously injured.

• Suspect in Taipei attacks that left 2 dead, 7 injured jumps to death

• 1 dead, 8 injured in Taipei knife attack linked to smoke grenade suspect

The assailant, in his 20s, who jumped from a shopping mall near the MRT station, was pronounced dead at 7:42 p.m., according to local police.

Cho told reporters outside Taipei City Police Department's Zhongzheng First Precinct that the two separate attacks on passersby occurred within a very short period on Friday evening, in areas around Taipei Main Station and MRT Zhongshan Station. The suspect in both cases was a man surnamed Chang (張), who later jumped from a building while being pursued by police.

It is currently known that Chang had a criminal record and was wanted by the authorities, the premier said, adding that at the time of the attack, he was also carrying Molotov cocktails.

Chang was wearing what appeared to be body armor, a mask, and wielding a long knife, which he used to indiscriminately attack members of the public. Authorities will work through the night to determine his background and motivation, Cho added.