Belgian police hunt gunmen after Brussels anti-terror raid
One suspect "neutralised" after counterterrorism operation by officers investigating November’s terrorist attacks in Paris
A Belgium police officer on a rooftop near the scene where shots were fired in the suburb of Forest
Armed police have locked down a southern area of Brussels as they hunt for at least one gunman who shot at security forces during a counterterrorism raid as part of the investigation into November’s Paris attacks.
At least three Belgian police officers have been injured in a shootout during a counterterrorism raid on a house in southern Brussels, according to a police spokesperson.
One of two suspected shooters was "neutralised" during manhunt after Tuesday's incident in the neighbourhood of Forest, the Belga news agency reported.
It was not clear whether the second suspect was still on the run.
The shootout happened in the quiet neighbourhood of Forest in the south west of Brussels. Police cordoned off the area and local trams were suspended. On one approach to the scene four police and one van blocked off the street , while two helicopters buzzed overhead. A crowd of about 50 people gathered but life carried on as normal. In nearby streets a couple sat in the launderette and a woman walked her dog.
Security services have blocked roads and told residents to stay indoors. A primary school close to the scene of the shooting was in lockdown. Part of the public transport network was suspended, a helicopter hovered overhead and journalists were asked not to publish videos or photos of the area.
The shootout happened as a joint team of Belgian and French police arrived to search an address as part of the investigation into the Paris attacks of 13 November which killed 130 people.
“Two individuals apparently barricaded themselves inside a home,” Forest mayor Marc-Jean Ghyssels told local media. It was not immediately clear if the two people escaped, or whether police were searching for more people.
A correspondent for France Info radio said locals in Forest had described hearing an exchange of gunfire that latest several minutes. It was not clear what type of firearm was used.
The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, confirmed that a team of Belgian and French police had come “under fire, apparently from assault weapons.”
