Attacks in Paris

If this is not a wake up call for us, I don't know what is. There have been at least two terrorist plots uncovered in this country very recently and I think it is the tip of a very large iceberg. We can only hope that our security services are on the ball, but it does add extra weight to the call for them to have access to web and email traffic despite all the human rights activists handwringing there will be about it. Those who have nothing to hide, have nothing to fear. As for these disaffected people who toddle off to Syria to "have an adventure", they must be stripped of their citizenship and not be allowed to return to wreak more havoc.

I do hope your son's girlfriend is safe night owl. Yes, dreadful times we are living in. To cause death and terror amongst ordinary people who are out with friends and loved ones doing things they enjoy is just beyond wicked.

This was very well planned so probably not a result of JJs death. They were trained terrorists due to their tactics and equipment. It is very chilling and worrying. All dead sadly so no one to question. What an evil organisation ISIS is. !!!!

So many innocent people dead.

with immigration out of control,how the hell do we know whose walking among us.

I've just read that the attacks had been planned for a while but were brought forward due to the killing of Jihadi John

Son's girlfriend lives and works in the centre of Paris. Can't get hold of him to know whether he's spoken to her. Dreadful dreadful times we are living in.

Someone posted on FB late last night "pray for Paris" I had no idea what it meant until I saw the paper this morning. The head line does say "Revenge for Jihadi John" but I'm not speculating on the accuracy of that.
To say it's a dreadful atrocity just sounds trite

I'm feeling the same annsixty.
It's the feeling that we're impotent, can't do anything, very depressing.

I am numb with it and that scares me, not the act. I have a feeling of inevitability. Will it be London next? I am not fearful , I am resigned and that is so wrong.

Paris the heart of the enlightenment - this must never be dimmed.

Terrible atrocity, it seems the perpetrators aren't identified as yet.
RIP for those massacred.

Welcome to the club, France.

I doubt Paris needs to import terrorists it has its own ghettos full of disenfranchised young Muslims, ripe for radicalisation. But, no we ought not to speculate until more is known.

Mariclaire I have not heard or read anything that says the terrorists must have been living in the community. None of the experts on the radio have said this. They are however, all are in agreement that the attacks show a level of organisations similar to the Mumbai attack in 2008 and the degree of control shown in the theatre indicates a high level of training e.g. the gunmen reloaded 3 or 4 times before blowing themselves up. I don't think we should jump to conclusions.

Absolutely horrific attack. And the "terror" lives on, as well. Consider that the operational and geographic scope points to several terrorists operating within the community, living among us for an extended period of time, under the radar. Truly frightening.

How will we fight this insidious evil that pervades all our countries? And keep our freedoms? I also wonder if the terrorists could have quickly activated this well-planned attack in response to the Jihad John killing and re-taking of Sinjar.

My (American) heart goes out to the French people.

More than 150 dead - over 100 inside concert hall alone. Barbarians.

Now reporting that 100 people were killed inside the Bataclan Concert Hall. No words.

The police operation is over and the two attackers are dead.

Well, the hostage incident at the Bataclan is now over, and the two killers have been killed.

The army has been deployed on the streets of Paris and the public told to stay in doors. All businesses are being told to close and people who are out are being told to leave the area.

At least 60 just reported by the BBC. Shots and explosions heard from inside the arts centre. Police storming the building.

News now saying 40

Oh sorry, merlot, I misunderstood you - I thought you were wondering if it was a reprisal.

Gun shots have been heard from inside the arts centre.

The borders have been closed and a state of emergency has been declared. Reports are saying the bombings were suicide bombers. Heaven help the hostages.