Paris anti-terror raid: One dead, attack mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud is main target

Mangalore Today News Network

Paris, Nov 18, 2015: Heavy exchange of fire has been reported in a northern suburb of Paris during an anti-terrorist police operation on Wednesday, five days after the worst attacks in French history that killed 129 people in the capital. Suspects are still believed to be holed-up in an apartment, and at least one person is reported to be dead, Al Jazeera reports.

France 24, quoting regional French media, reports that two or three suspects who were ‘very close’ in planning Friday’s attacks are involved. Police officials have reportedly said that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks, is one of the targets.

French police officials have asked local residents not to leave their homes.

The first shots were heard at around 4.30am local time, and the operation has been going on for two hours.

France 24 further reports that two police officers have been injured and that helicopters can be heard overhead.

There was an exchange of gunfire during the operation in Saint-Denis, according to a source close to the investigation, who could not confirm who was targeted in the operation. Another source said a special armed response unit took part in the raid.

News agency Associated Press reports, quoting an official, that the Saint Denis raid is believed to be linked to the deadly attacks on the French capital.

The police official says there have been exchanges of gunfire and special SWAT teams are on the scene. The official was not authorised to be publicly named according to police policy.

Police have blocked off the area around Place Jean Jaures in Saint Denis, just north of Paris.

French authorities have said they are searching for at least two people involved in last Friday’s attacks, which killed at least 129 people and 7 terrorists.

Ambulances can be seen and sirens heard in French television footage from the scene.

 

Courtesy: Indianexpress