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Paris attacks: Police in deadly swoop on apartment in northern suburb Paris attacks: Police in deadly swoop on apartment in northern suburb
(about 1 hour later)
Armed police have raided a flat in the north Paris suburb of Saint Denis in an operation linked to Friday's attacks.Armed police have raided a flat in the north Paris suburb of Saint Denis in an operation linked to Friday's attacks.
A female suspect blew herself up with a suicide belt, a prosecutor says. Some reports suggest two suspects died. There were explosions and gunfire in the operation, which is continuing. A female suspect blew herself up with a suicide belt and some reports suggest two suspects died. Loud gunfire was heard as police met fierce resistance in the operation, which is continuing.
Five people have also been arrested.Five people have also been arrested.
The focus of the operation is Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the alleged mastermind of the Islamic State-claimed attacks that killed 129 people.The focus of the operation is Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the alleged mastermind of the Islamic State-claimed attacks that killed 129 people.
Follow the latest live eventsFollow the latest live events
Roads have been blocked off around Rue de la Republique in Saint Denis, in the same district as the Stade de France where suicide attackers detonated bombs on Friday.Roads have been blocked off around Rue de la Republique in Saint Denis, in the same district as the Stade de France where suicide attackers detonated bombs on Friday.
Truckloads of soldiers joined armed police at the scene.Truckloads of soldiers joined armed police at the scene.
"I've been hearing gunshots continuously, like fireworks... There have been some breaks but... to me it sounds like continuous gunshots," one resident, Benson Hoi, told the BBC. "I've been hearing gunshots continuously, like fireworks... There have been some breaks but... to me it sounds like continuous gunshots," one resident, Benson Hoi, told the BBC earlier.
Another witness, Amine Guizani, told the Associated Press he heard the sounds of grenades and automatic gunfire.Another witness, Amine Guizani, told the Associated Press he heard the sounds of grenades and automatic gunfire.
"They were shooting for an hour, non-stop. There were grenades. It was going, stopping, Kalashnikovs, Starting again," he said."They were shooting for an hour, non-stop. There were grenades. It was going, stopping, Kalashnikovs, Starting again," he said.
At least five people were believed to have been in the targeted third floor flat in Rue de La Republique, French media report.At least five people were believed to have been in the targeted third floor flat in Rue de La Republique, French media report.
The Paris prosecutor's office said in a statement that the raid started at 04:20 local time (03:20 GMT) and was still ongoing. Saint Denis: by Cagil Kasapoglu
Saint Denis is a multicultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic suburb or banlieue. There are Africans, Algerians, Indians, Chinese, Turkish and many more from different backgrounds.
The majority of the population has "sans-papiers" status - meaning they do not yet have a legal status and an ID which would allow them to find a job.
During my visit to Saint-Denis on Tuesday, I heard quite a lot of 'Us vs. Them' when they talked about the "Parisiens" and themselves in banlieues.
The Paris prosecutor's office said in a statement that the raid started at 04:20 local time (03:20 GMT).
A woman inside the apartment set off an explosives vest at the beginning of the raid and died.A woman inside the apartment set off an explosives vest at the beginning of the raid and died.
Three men who were also in the apartment have been detained by anti-terrorist police. Three men who were also in the apartment have been detained by anti-terrorist police. A man and a woman were stopped and detained close to the apartment, the prosecutor said.
A man and a woman were stopped and detained close to the apartment, police said. There are unconfirmed reports that at least one person remains holed up in the flat, with suggestions it could be Abdelhamid Abaaoud.
There are unconfirmed reports that one person remains holed up in the flat. Other unconfirmed reports have put the death toll at between two and three. The 27-year-old Belgian of Moroccan origin was originally suspected of organising Friday's attacks from Syria.
Several police officers are reported to have been wounded in the operation. Four police officers were injured and a police dog died in the early stages of the raid.
Earlier, Deputy Mayor Stephane Peu urged local residents to stay indoors, saying "it is not a new attack but a police intervention".Earlier, Deputy Mayor Stephane Peu urged local residents to stay indoors, saying "it is not a new attack but a police intervention".
Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a 27-year-old Belgian of Moroccan origin, had been thought to have organised Friday's attacks from Syria, but is now believed to have been one of those in the St Denis apartment. More on the Paris attacks
Special report: In-depth coverage of the attacks and their aftermath
Security sources have said surveillance video showed a possible ninth assailant during Friday's attacks.Security sources have said surveillance video showed a possible ninth assailant during Friday's attacks.
The video reportedly shows a third figure in the car carrying the group which attacked several bars and restaurants.The video reportedly shows a third figure in the car carrying the group which attacked several bars and restaurants.
It is not clear if this ninth attacker is one of two suspected accomplices detained in Belgium or is someone still on the run.It is not clear if this ninth attacker is one of two suspected accomplices detained in Belgium or is someone still on the run.
More on the Paris attacks Paris tributes after the attacks - 360-degree video
Special report: In-depth coverage of the attacks and their aftermath
The near simultaneous attacks on bars and restaurants, a concert hall and the Stade du France left more than 400 people wounded, with 221 still in hospital, 57 of them in intensive care.The near simultaneous attacks on bars and restaurants, a concert hall and the Stade du France left more than 400 people wounded, with 221 still in hospital, 57 of them in intensive care.
European countries are on high alert. On Tuesday evening, a football friendly between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled shortly before kick-off and the stadium in Hannover evacuated after "concrete" information about a bomb threat, according to the city's police chief.European countries are on high alert. On Tuesday evening, a football friendly between Germany and the Netherlands was cancelled shortly before kick-off and the stadium in Hannover evacuated after "concrete" information about a bomb threat, according to the city's police chief.
Part of Hanover railway station was also closed while a suspicious object was investigated.Part of Hanover railway station was also closed while a suspicious object was investigated.
Meanwhile, two Air France planes heading to Paris from the US were diverted because of security threats. One was sent to Halifax in Canada, the other flew to Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah. Both planes landed safely and the passengers were unharmed.Meanwhile, two Air France planes heading to Paris from the US were diverted because of security threats. One was sent to Halifax in Canada, the other flew to Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah. Both planes landed safely and the passengers were unharmed.
Paris tributes after the attacks - 360-degree video
What is Islamic State?What is Islamic State?
IS is a notoriously violent Islamist group which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq. It has declared its territory a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law - under its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.IS is a notoriously violent Islamist group which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq. It has declared its territory a caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law - under its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
What does it want?What does it want?
IS demands allegiance from all Muslims, rejects national borders and seeks to expand its territory. It follows its own extreme version of Sunni Islam and regards non-believers as deserving of death.IS demands allegiance from all Muslims, rejects national borders and seeks to expand its territory. It follows its own extreme version of Sunni Islam and regards non-believers as deserving of death.
How strong is IS?How strong is IS?
IS projects a powerful image, partly through propaganda and sheer brutality, and is the world's richest insurgent group. It has about 30,000 fighters but is facing daily bombing by a US-led multi-national coalition, which has vowed to destroy it.IS projects a powerful image, partly through propaganda and sheer brutality, and is the world's richest insurgent group. It has about 30,000 fighters but is facing daily bombing by a US-led multi-national coalition, which has vowed to destroy it.
What is Islamic State?What is Islamic State?
'No timetable' for Syria strikes vote
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by what has been happening? Do you have any information you can share? If it is safe to do so, you can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in the area? Have you been affected by what has been happening? Do you have any information you can share? If it is safe to do so, you can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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