Belgium opens investigation linked to paris attack

Molins said a French national was among the three arrested.

French President Francois Hollande vowed to attack the Islamic State group without mercy as the jihadist group claimed responsibility Saturday for orchestrating the deadliest attacks on France since World War II.

His friend Yassim (20), who was born in Brussels to Moroccan parents and is also a university student in Brussels, said he had been aware of Jihadi links in the area in January, but said he had no knowledge of any terrorist activity.

Firearms, explosives and hand grenades were found in the vehicle near the German-Austrian border – but Bavarian state police would not confirm reports that the man appeared to be en route to Paris when he was held. Three people could be seen clinging to upper-floor balcony railings in a desperate bid to stay out of the line of fire.

Arrests have been made in Belgium after raids on several properties in Brussels, where at least three of the terrorists lived. Pictures emerged of one man being taken from an apartment in handcuffs.

According to the Associated Press, one of the police officials said 11 people were killed in a Paris restaurant in the 10th arrondissement and about 15 killed in the Bataclan theater, where a hostage-taking is under way.

The renter of the auto was intercepted at Belgian border control, on board another vehicle along with two other people residing in Brussels, Molins said.

The attacks on Friday evening struck at the heart of Parisian life: diners in cafes, concertgoers watching a rock band, spectators at a soccer match.

Eight attackers were killed during last night’s violence, and Paris public prosecutor François Molins said two of the attackers have been identified. It is Molenbeek where a gang of young jihadis coalesced, or was coordinated, under the noses of European’s security services.

Police said there was evidence the man was on his way to Paris, and he was caught during a traffic stop, the affiliate reported. “We will continue the painstaking and persistent effort to ensure the security of our country and Europe under hard circumstances, insisting on complete identification of those arriving”. “We are working with the various authorities and have put in place a number of measures to ensure the security of our employees”. “At this stage either scenario is possible”.

The same source said that the gunman had been identified by his fingerprints. More than 120 people were killed in multiple shootings and bombings before the horror ended Friday night.