Dawn raids as France steels for more attacks

Image
AFP Paris
Last Updated : Nov 16 2015 | 6:42 PM IST
France staged dozens of raids on suspected extremists today and bombed the Islamic State group in Syria as the prime minister steeled the nation for more bloodshed after its deadliest ever terror attacks.
A traumatised nation stopped for a minute's silence at midday (1630 IST) to honour at least 129 people killed in the unprecedented assault on Paris nightspots.
Thousands paused in the capital's streets and President Francois Hollande observed the silence at the Sorbonne University, in recognition of the large number of young victims.
Hiding the tears behind dark glasses, 63-year-old Chantal said in a trembling voice: "It really hurts, all this youth cut down."
"I don't know anyone but at the same time, they were all our children," she said, adding it was important to go out into the streets for the minute's silence "to show we aren't scared."
Investigators identified two more attackers involved in the attack, including a Frenchman previously charged in a "terrorist" case and a suicide bomber found with a Syrian passport, although the authenticity of the document still needs to be verified.
Police conducted "several dozen" raids across France while Belgian police launched a new operation in a radical hotspot in the increasingly international probe.
In the southeastern French city of Lyon, police found "an arsenal of weapons," including a rocket launcher and Kalashnikov assault rifle.
More than 100 people have been placed under house arrest, 23 arrested and 31 weapons seized, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.
As authorities scrambled to find those responsible, the grieving French tried to return to the humdrum of daily life.
Shrines that have sprung up at the attacked Bataclan concert hall and restaurants were surrounded by silent mourners bathed in flickering candle light into the early hours of the morning.
Metro trains were packed with commuters, pupils returned to schools and museums opened, although a national state of emergency remained in place.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned that more attacks could follow.
"We know that operations were being prepared and are still being prepared, not only against France but other European countries too," he told RTL radio.
Valls said Friday's attacks were "planned from Syria".
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 16 2015 | 6:42 PM IST

Next Story