In what can be called a worst act of terror on the French soil and gruesome attack on media, 12 people lost lives as arm-borne terrorists open fired on the offices of France’s satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, attracting global criticism. Masked gunmen attacked the Headquarters of the satirical weekly situated in Paris in a probable act of vengeance against the newspaper.
In a video footage, accessed by the investigators, gunmen were heard shouting slogans in Arabic before marching inside the offices and carrying out the attack. The terrorists fled from the scene in a black Citroen car, dumped it, stole another car and are currently said to be at-large. Security officials were rushed to the scene. 12 people, including two policemen lost lives in this attack, confirmation on which came in from France’s interior 
Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.
Consequently, the government raised its security alerts to the highest level and tightened security everywhere, including the offices of media, shops and places of worship.
Satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo is known for lampooning radical Islam. Previously too, its offices had come under an attack in November 2011 when an edition had carried an image of Prophet Mohammed.
Reports in the media suggest that the editor of Charlie Hebdo, Stephane Charbonnier had been on Al Qaeda’s most wanted list. He had received death threats and was since provided police protection. He, along with 4 cartoonists of the magazine, has been killed in this attack.
France’s President François Hollande spoke to the press and called this as “undoubtedly a terror attack.”
The Vatican City condemned the attack and so did the White House.
US President Barack Obama condemned it and his statement said, “I strongly condemn the horrific shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack and the people of France at this difficult time. France is America’s oldest ally, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorists who threaten our shared security and the world. Time and again, the French people have stood up for the universal values that generations of our people have defended. France, and the great city of Paris where this outrageous attack took place, offer the world a timeless example that will endure well beyond the hateful vision of these killers. We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my Administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice.”
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said on twitter, “The murders in Paris are sickening. We stand with the French people in the fight against terror and defending the freedom of the press.”
The United Nations’ top officials too condemned this attack. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein described it as an “appalling and ruthless attack”. Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said, “This attack is an attack against the media and against freedom of expression.”
Soon after the attack, #CharlieHebdo and #ParisShooting were trending on twitter.
Tags: Charlie Hebdo François Hollande Paris Paris attack Paris Shooting terrorist attack
