This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36524094
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
French police chief's killer 'claimed allegiance to IS' | French police chief's killer 'claimed allegiance to IS' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A man claiming allegiance to so-called Islamic State (IS) stabbed a French police commander to death before being killed when police stormed a house, officials have said. | A man claiming allegiance to so-called Islamic State (IS) stabbed a French police commander to death before being killed when police stormed a house, officials have said. |
The attacker took the officer's partner and their son hostage in their home in Magnanville, near Paris. | The attacker took the officer's partner and their son hostage in their home in Magnanville, near Paris. |
The partner was found dead but the child was rescued. | The partner was found dead but the child was rescued. |
French prosecutors have launched an anti-terror investigation, AFP news agency reports. | French prosecutors have launched an anti-terror investigation, AFP news agency reports. |
Islamic State's Amaq news agency said an IS "fighter" carried out the attack. | |
If that is confirmed, it would be the first militant attack in France since a state of emergency was imposed following last November's attacks which left 130 dead in Paris. | |
French President Francois Hollande's office said a meeting would be held at the Elysee palace on Tuesday morning to discuss the incident. | |
"Light will be shed on the circumstances of this abominable drama," President Hollande said in a statement. | |
Witnesses quoted by AFP said that the knife-wielding man may have shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is greater) when he attacked the 42-year-old policeman, who was not in uniform, outside his home. | |
The attacker then went inside the house and took a woman and child hostage. | The attacker then went inside the house and took a woman and child hostage. |
He is reported to have claimed allegiance to IS while talking to police negotiators. | He is reported to have claimed allegiance to IS while talking to police negotiators. |
Interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said France's elite police Raid unit was brought in after the officer's killer took hostages at around 21:00 (19:00 GMT). | Interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said France's elite police Raid unit was brought in after the officer's killer took hostages at around 21:00 (19:00 GMT). |
He said negotiations had been unsuccessful and a decision had been made to "launch an assault" at about midnight. | He said negotiations had been unsuccessful and a decision had been made to "launch an assault" at about midnight. |
Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions as the officers from the Raid unit moved in. | Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions as the officers from the Raid unit moved in. |
"The toll is a heavy one," Mr Brandet later told reporters at the scene. | "The toll is a heavy one," Mr Brandet later told reporters at the scene. |
"This commander, this police officer was killed by the individual... (and) we discovered the body of a woman. The assailant, the criminal was killed. Thankfully, a little boy was saved. He is safe and sound." | "This commander, this police officer was killed by the individual... (and) we discovered the body of a woman. The assailant, the criminal was killed. Thankfully, a little boy was saved. He is safe and sound." |
A source later told AFP: "The anti-terror department of the Paris prosecution service is taking into account at this stage the mode of operation, the target and the comments made during negotiations with the Raid." | A source later told AFP: "The anti-terror department of the Paris prosecution service is taking into account at this stage the mode of operation, the target and the comments made during negotiations with the Raid." |
The victims have not yet been named. Magnanville is about 55 km (35 miles) north-west of the French capital. | The victims have not yet been named. Magnanville is about 55 km (35 miles) north-west of the French capital. |