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SYDNEY, June 6 (Reuters) - Australian police said on Tuesday they were investigating a claim made by Islamic State that one of its fighters was the gunman responsible for a hostage situation in Melbourne on Monday.
Police on Monday shot dead a gunman whom they said had held a woman hostage inside an apartment building in the city of Melbourne.
Islamic State said via its news agency, Amaq, that the attack was launched because of Australia's membership in a U.S.-led coalition against the militant group. are aware of it, but it's forming part of the investigation," Victoria state police spokeswoman Natalie Savino said.
Australia, a staunch ally of the United States and its escalating action against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, has been on high alert for attacks by home-grown militants returning from fighting in the Middle East or their supporters.
Three police were hurt during a stand-off that lasted more than an hour in the beachside suburb of Brighton, police said in a statement, adding that a second man had earlier been found dead from a gunshot wound.