Police targeted in French gun attack

HOODED gunmen opened fire on police in Marseille, France, this Monday morning. Up to 10 armed individuals targeted a police car with Kalashnikov rifles in the notorious housing project of La Castellane in the southern French city. There have been no reports of any injuries.

The area – home to around 7,000 residents – was put on lockdown and people ordered to stay in their homes while police secured the area. It is not known if the incident was terror-related or drug-related, as the Castellane estate is well-known for its high crime rate and drugs problem.

The Marseille police said that incident is ongoing. France has been on high alert since the tragic terror attacks in Paris last month that resulted in the deaths of 20 people, including three gunmen. Security has been stepped up at key sites including public places and houses of worship. Earlier this month, soldiers patrolling outside a Jewish centre in Nice were attacked by a man with a knife.