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Brussels raid: High alert after Paris-linked raid | Brussels raid: High alert after Paris-linked raid |
(35 minutes later) | |
Brussels remains on high alert as a major police operation continues following a raid linked to November's Islamist attacks in Paris. | Brussels remains on high alert as a major police operation continues following a raid linked to November's Islamist attacks in Paris. |
Up to two suspects are thought to be on the run after police raided a flat in the suburb of Forest. | |
Four police officers were wounded and a suspect armed with a Kalashnikov was shot dead outside the apartment, the Belgian prosecutor's office said. | |
It also said the investigation was likely to continue through the night. | It also said the investigation was likely to continue through the night. |
The raid was linked to last year's Paris attacks in which 130 people died. Islamic State (IS) militants have claimed the attacks. | The raid was linked to last year's Paris attacks in which 130 people died. Islamic State (IS) militants have claimed the attacks. |
French police also took part in Tuesday's operation. One of the officers wounded in the raid was a French policewoman, officials said. | French police also took part in Tuesday's operation. One of the officers wounded in the raid was a French policewoman, officials said. |
The federal prosecutor's office said the police had gone to search an apartment in the southern suburb of Forest at about 15:00 (14:00GMT) local time. | The federal prosecutor's office said the police had gone to search an apartment in the southern suburb of Forest at about 15:00 (14:00GMT) local time. |
"During this operation, one or several people opened fire on the police as they came through the door," it said in a statement. | "During this operation, one or several people opened fire on the police as they came through the door," it said in a statement. |
Three officers were injured then and a fourth in a later exchange of gunfire, it said. All four suffered only light wounds, officials say. | |
"A suspect armed with a Kalashnikov" was also killed at around 18:00 in the street outside the flat, the prosecutors' statement also said. | |
The dead suspect has not yet been identified. However, a prosecutor's spokesman had earlier made clear it was not Salah Abdeslam - one of two suspects still on the run after the 13 November attacks in Paris. | |
French police sources had said earlier that he was not the target of Tuesday's raid. | French police sources had said earlier that he was not the target of Tuesday's raid. |
The operation brought the area - close to railway lines used by high-speed trains to London and Paris - to a standstill. | The operation brought the area - close to railway lines used by high-speed trains to London and Paris - to a standstill. |
Two local schools and two kindergartens were in lockdown for several hours before being evacuated by police. | Two local schools and two kindergartens were in lockdown for several hours before being evacuated by police. |
While the operation at the flat has finished, a police source told the BBC that their search was widening - and could possibly involve a second location. | While the operation at the flat has finished, a police source told the BBC that their search was widening - and could possibly involve a second location. |
The prosecutor's office said the investigation is "actively continuing, day and night" but gave no other details. | The prosecutor's office said the investigation is "actively continuing, day and night" but gave no other details. |
Anna Holligan at the scene says a huge police presence remains, with heavily armed officers on the streets and helicopters hovering overhead. | |
She says it is still unclear how many, if any, suspects remain at large. | She says it is still unclear how many, if any, suspects remain at large. |
Since the 13 November attacks, officials have identified most of the people they believe to have carried out the assaults. | Since the 13 November attacks, officials have identified most of the people they believe to have carried out the assaults. |
Most of the suspects either died during the attacks or were killed in later police raids. | Most of the suspects either died during the attacks or were killed in later police raids. |
In addition, 11 people have been arrested and charged in Belgium in connection with the killings. Another eight are still in detention. | In addition, 11 people have been arrested and charged in Belgium in connection with the killings. Another eight are still in detention. |
Parts of Brussels were sealed off for days after the Paris massacre amid fears of a major incident. A number of suspected attackers lived in the Belgian capital. | Parts of Brussels were sealed off for days after the Paris massacre amid fears of a major incident. A number of suspected attackers lived in the Belgian capital. |
Police have also carried out a series of raids in the city. | Police have also carried out a series of raids in the city. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected? If it is safe for you to do so, share your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected? If it is safe for you to do so, share your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |