The Islamic State group, which says it has established a caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq, claimed responsibility on Saturday for Friday’s attacks at a music hall, restaurants and a soccer stadium. “We are in regular touch with the embassy officials through the MEA (Ministry of External Of Affairs)”, he said, adding that security at the French Embassy has remained strict since the attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 2015. The French Embassy in New Delhi was exceptionally open from 4.30pm to 6.30pm to deliver visa on the spot for journalists visiting France.
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China today sounded a nationwide alert and ordered its internal security forces to boost their intelligence gathering efforts to thwart any terrorist attack, a day after a wave of terror strikes in Paris killed more than 120 people. “The number of casualties is not yet confirmed, but more than 120 innocent people were brutally murdered and 200 injured”. “In this tragic ordeal, France stands united and determined to fight terrorism”.
Another French national who identified himself as Mathieu said the minute of silence at the memorial is a “way to reconnect” with his grieving countrymen.
Mei Jianming, director of the Counterterrorism Research Center at People’s Public Security University of China, said: “China should draw lessons from the Paris incidents and then improve emergency mechanisms to prevent similar fatal attacks”. Reinforced measures are being implemented throughout the Paris region. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, with all those affected, and with the people of France.
The Indian embassy in Paris has also clarified that in line with the Schengen Area’s rules, and for security reasons, France has restored (with immediate effect) systematic checks at its borders.
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The brutal attack on the French soil has sounded a high alert in India with security beefed up outside several foreign embassies including the French embassy and consulates and law enforcement agencies heightening its vigil across the country. Expressing gratitude to the President and the Prime Minister of India for their messages of solidarity and friendship he thanked the Indian Central and State authorities for their collaboration.
