Alleged IS Affiliate Kills Two in Attack Near Paris

French security forces stand guard outside the Stade de France stadium prior to the international friendly soccer match between France and Russia in Saint-Denis, near Paris, France, 29 March 2016. Photo: EPA

A man, who reportedly claimed affiliation with Islamic State (IS), killed a police officer and took his partner and child as hostage near the French capital on Monday evening.

The attack took place in Magnanville, 55 kilometres northwest of Paris.

The attacker first stabbed to death the police officer outside his home and then went inside taking his partner and their son hostages.

After security forces stormed the building , the partner, who is believed to also have been police officer, was found dead. The child was rescued and the attacker was killed when storming the building.

French prosecutors have launched anti-terror investigation as the attacker had reportedly shouted “Allahu akbar” (“God is greater”) and pledged allegiance to IS when negotiating with police.

Later, the IS-affiliated news agency Amaq said the attack was carried out by IS fighter.

If the involvement of IS is confirmed, this will be the first militant attack since the imposition of state of emergency after last year's November 13 attacks in Paris which claimed the lives of 130 people and left hundreds other injured.

French President Francois Hollande said that a meeting will be held at the Elysee palace on Tuesday to discuss the incident.

France's elite police Raid unit was deployed to the site of the hostage siege. After negotiations with the attacker were unsuccessful, police took the decision to storm the building around midnight.

This development comes as France is hosting the European Championship amid heightened security measures due to the high level of terrorist threat after last year's attacks in Paris.

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