Casualties in Belgium police anti-terror raid in Verviers

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...gium-police-anti-terror-raid-in-Verviers.html

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30840160
Two suspected jihadists have been killed in an anti-terror operation in eastern Belgium, officials say.

Prosecutor Eric Van der Sypt said a third person had been arrested in the raid in Verviers, and no police or members of the public were harmed.

Mr Van der Sypt told reporters police had targeted a group returning from Syria who had been about to launch "large-scale" attacks.

Suspects had opened fire on police with assault weapons, he said.
Thierry Werts: ''The suspects immediately started firing at the armed police officers''
"The suspects immediately and for several minutes opened fire with military weaponry and handguns on the special units of the federal police before they were neutralised," he said.

Anti-terror raids are also continuing overnight in Brussels and surrounding areas.

Earlier on Thursday two suspected Islamists were arrested in the suburb of Zaventem, local media reported.

'Just terrified'
Belgian journalist Mark Eeckhaut told the BBC the suspects in Verviers had wanted to attack a police station and cause a large number of casualties.

The terror threat level in Belgium has been raised to three - the second highest, Mr Van der Sypt said.

Witnesses in Verviers reported hearing heavy gunfire for several minutes and at least three explosions.