FRANCE — Heavy gunfire was reported in St. Denis, outside of Paris early Wednesday, as police conducted an early morning raid in search for terror suspects.
According to local media, three people were killed… And police had a fugitive terrorist cornered.
The reported target would be Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the mastermind behind the Paris terror attacks. He was reportedly holed up with four accomplices before a gunfight ensued.
The suspects barricaded themselves in an apartment building.
A female terrorist who was wearing a suicide vest has blown herself up and another Jihadi was subsequently killed by a sniper during a six-hour stand off on a flat.
The gunfight started at 4.30am when SWAT teams and special forces surrounded the building believing it contained Abdelhamid Abaaoud, 27, the architect of the plots that killed 129 people. It is not known if he was there or if he is dead or alive.
At least five police were reported injured during the gunfight.
The terrorists also gunned down a seven-year-old sniffer dog called Diesel, sent into the block to look for booby traps.
French police had been conducting multiple terror-related raids throughout the country since the attacks in Paris.
A massive police operation was ongoing in the area. Roads are being closed off in St Denis as the investigation continues there.
Police told residents in the area to stay indoors. Some residents were evacuated.
Video below. Check back for updates.
LIVESTREAM OPTIONS:
Video from scene:
[Saint-Denis is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 9.4 km from the centre of Paris. Saint-Denis is a subprefecture of the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, being the seat of the arrondissement of Saint-Denis]
