French soldier shoots attacker outside Louvre in Paris

A soldier in Paris, France, shot a knife-wielding attacker in self-defence on Friday.

Paris, Feb 3: A man has reportedly attempted to attack a French soldier near Paris' famed Le Louvre art gallery on Friday. The soldier opened fire in self-defence near the Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre around 10 am, according to the local media.

French daily L'Express reported that the suspect was carrying a knife. He is said to have been injured in the shooting.

A spokesperson for the French Interior Ministry said a "serious public security incident" was underway, saying security forces were at the scene, the Independent reported.

According to the French prime minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said that the incident appeared to be an "attack of terrorist nature".

Meanwhile, the police sources said that the suspected man was carrying a knife along with him and headed towards the soldiers shouting ''Allahu Akbar''.

Paris Police chief Michel Cadot said the man was not carrying any explosive in his bag and posed no threat. They have detained another man who was behaving suspiciously.

The Carrousel du Louvre has been evacuated amid a heavy police presence following the incident.

IANS