The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

2 police officers wounded by 'Islamist' on Reunion island

The attack comes a week after a French policeman was shot and killed and two others wounded on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris.

A jihadist network, the first in a French overseas territory, was smashed in Reunion in June 2015

The attack comes a week after a French policeman was shot and killed and two others wounded on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, just days ahead of the first round of the presidential election.

More than 230 people have been killed in a string of jihadist attacks on the French mainland since January 2015 and the country has been under a state of emergency for nearly a year and a half.

"The man refused to be arrested and fired a rifle at police," a government official said, adding that the suspect -- in his 20s, who is believed to be a recent convert to Islam -- was now in custody.

ADVERTISEMENT

The lives of the two officers are not in danger and the anti-terrorist department of the Paris prosecutors' office is investigating the attack.

The man lived with his mother, also in custody, in an apartment in Saint-Benoit, in the island's east.

Authorities seized several weapons and other material that could be used to make Molotov cocktails, France's interior and overseas ministers said in a joint statement.

The suspect "is a very discreet man who didn't seem to have a lot of friends and was never a problem," a neighbour said.

"We did notice that he had been sporting a beard lately but we didn't pay much attention to it," added a young man.

ADVERTISEMENT

A jihadist network, the first in a French overseas territory, was smashed in Reunion in June 2015. Its leader, a 21-year-old known as "The Egyptian", was arrested and transferred to Paris.

Authorities in Reunion estimate there are around 100 radicalised Islamists on the island.

The local government official said Thursday's assailant was also "suspected of being radicalised".

France's police union Unite SGP POLICE FO said it was "deeply shocked and angry after this new attack."

It "shows that policemen are in danger throughout the national territory and not only in certain areas as judges would have us believe," it added.

ADVERTISEMENT

The string of terror attacks in France began in January 2015 with a massacre at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine.

The following November, IS gunmen and suicide bombers killed 130 people in Paris, and a Tunisian man rammed a truck through crowds in Nice last July, killing 86 people.

France remains on high alert as it prepares to choose between centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the second round of the presidential election on May 7.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT