TORONTO

A brazen knife attack that sent two Canadian soldiers to hospital was disturbing enough, but police sources say it was the attacker uttering the word “Allah” that prompted Toronto Police to call in terror experts.

Chief Mark Saunders told reporters outside of the federal building at 4900 Yonge St., north of Sheppard Ave., Monday that the male suspect used “certain comments” that were as concerning as the violent attack.

He did not elaborate, but several police sources say witnesses told them “Allah” was used.

“Some heard him say, ‘Praise Allah’ and others heard ‘Allah’ or ‘Aly,’” a police source told the Sun. “Several heard the man use this terminology. It’s not something you take a chance on and this is why the call was made to the police agencies who handle terror issues.”

The RCMP, CSIS and OPP are now involved in the investigation.

After being subdued and restrained by at least six Canadian Forces members on duty at the Joseph Shepard Building, the unidentified man was taken into custody but has yet to be charged. Police sources say investigators are poring through details of his background.

“He appears to be of Middle Eastern decent and was presenting himself as if he is Muslim, but it is so early in the investigation and all of that needs to be confirmed,” said a police source.

Saunders said a man armed with a knife entered the building around 3:30 p.m. and injured a Forces member. Other employees in uniform subdued the man, but a second Forces member was injured in the process.

The injuries to the two male victims are not life-threatening. The suspect was sent to hospital for medical clearance, Saunders added.

The chief said he called the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team made up of the RCMP and the OPP that deal with terror calls and contact has also been made “with CSIS,” which is the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

“They will look into not only this individual’s movements, mental health, contact with police, but his affiliations and whereabouts,” said a police source. “No stone will be left unturned.”

It is too early to consider this a terror attack, but sources say what happened is frightening in light of the fact that Canada in 2014 lost both W.O. Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo to terror attacks.

Vincent was struck by a car in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, near Montreal, by radicalized Muslim convert Martin Couture-Rouleau. Cirillo was shot at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, also a radicalized Muslim.

Former Canadian Armed Forces lieutenant-colonel Tony White, who is now a security analyst in Ottawa, said no matter what the outcome of the investigation, what happened Monday is disturbing.

“It is very troubling,” White said, adding no matter the reason for the attack, it will mean “soldiers in uniform will have to heighten their vigilance” and “be ready for anything.”

Former Toronto Police constable Ross McLean, now a crime specialist, said Saunders was “smart” and “right on the ball” by calling in national law enforcement agencies that focus on terrorists to take over the probe.

He said they will be able to determine if the suspect is someone who was on law enforcement’s radar, what his medical and mental health status may have been, and if there were previous episodes or planning.

WHAT CHIEF SAUNDERS SAID:

• “My information is that the attack was unprovoked, the person did walk in and certain comments were made that we’re fully investigating right now that hopefully will be able to assist us.”

• “Both (victims — Canadian Forces personnel) are non-life-threatening injuries. At this point in time, it’s very early in the investigation.”

• “We’re very fortunate that the Canadian Forces, through their training, responded, reacted, and as a result, I can tell you that had they not reacted, the chances of this being much more severe, much more serious, definitely would have occurred.”

• “We don’t have a clear understanding for what the motivation is but I can say a male 27-year-old person was in fact apprehended and right now is in hospital for medical clearance before the investigation will be further initiated.”

THE BUILDING

• The Joseph Shepard Building where the attack took place is located at the northwest corner of Yonge St. and Elmhurst Ave., north of Sheppard Ave.

• Services offered there include a passport office, a call centre, and recruitment for the Canadian Forces.

• Military police were spotted inside the building several hours after the attack. There was no sense of chaos and no ambulance on site — a cleaner could be seen working inside.

• People who walked out of the building late in the afternoon and early evening declined to speak with media, saying they were not authorized to do so.

• Edward Bekeris, who has worked there for six years, says he didn’t know what was unfolding inside the building when office workers were told to remain where they were due to an incident. “Our instructions inside was that there was an incident and that we should stay within our offices until advised otherwise,” he said. “Subsequently, they said the incident is resolved but if you leave the building, you won’t be allowed back in.”