Paris Knife Attack: Terror probe opened based on investigation

On October 4, the French prosecutors opened a terror investigation into the deadly knife attack at the police headquarters in Paris two days ago which killed three officers along with one administrative worker. Even though the knife-wielding employee was later shot dead by the police officials, the exact reason for opening a terrorism investigation is unclear. Prosecutors in Paris have reportedly said that the elements collected at this stage of investigation have led the authorities to hand over the case to the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office. 

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The Suspect

The suspect is a 45-year-old computer specialist and as reported by the authorities, he was also a 20-year veteran of the force with an uneventful record. After his stabbing spree in the huge building next to the Notre Dame Cathedral, he was shot dead. Moreover, according to police union officials, the suspect had a hearing disability and had also converted to Islam. A spokeswoman for the French government told a local media that conversion to “Islam is not an automatic sign of radicalization”, however, the facts gathered by the case still need to be examined with precision. 

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The Knife-attack

A day after the police went on a strike across France due to increasing violence towards the officers, as reported by a French media, the attacker entered the building and went directly to his office where he suddenly started attacking his colleagues with a knife. He stabbed three people who were inside the two offices, and two women on the stairway before being shot by the official inside the courtyard. The fifth person was critically injured and had to send for surgery. The scene ignited panic near the building and people were reportedly seen running around in panic. President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, and Interior Minister, Christophe Castaner have also visited the site. 

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(With ANI inputs)