‘TERRORISTS’ SLIT PRIEST’S THROAT

BLOODBATH AS KNIFEMEN ATTACK FRENCH CHURCH POLICE SHOOT PAIR DEAD AFTER NUN RAISES ALARM COUNTRY LEFT REELING AFTER FRESH OUTRAGE

ANTI-TERRORIST police shot two knifemen dead today after they murdered a priest by cutting his throat during a siege at a church in France.

Today’s bloodbath unfolded in the town of SaintEtienne-du-Rouvray, close to the Normandy city of Rouen. The two attackers rushed into the church via a back entrance during a service shortly after 9am, said a spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Paris.

They seized the priest, two sisters from a local order and two parishioners. “A third nun escaped and raised the alarm, and anti-terrorist officers were on the scene within minutes,” said a source who lives locally.

“It appears that the priest who was celebrating the service was attacked first, and had his throat cut. The area around the church was sealed off, and then armed officers appeared with their weapons. I heard at least a dozen shots.”

The siege officially ended at around 11am, following the shooting of the two attackers.

At least one of the hostages was today fighting for his life following the siege, the Interior Ministry source added.

There were claims that the attackers shouted “Daesh” — an alternative name for Islamic State — as they ran into the church. The priest was named by local media as 86-year-old Father Jacques Hamel.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressed “horror at the barbaric attack on a church”. French media reported that at least one knifeman was dressed

spate of recent attacks that have seen scores of people killed across the country, and in other parts of Europe, by attackers linked to Islamic State.

Police said up to six people were held by the assailants during today’s attack which took place as the 9am mass began.

Two parishioners were among those seized by the attackers.

Saint-Etienne du Rouvray has a population of 30,000 and is about seven miles from Rouen.

The attack came after 84 people were killed in Nice on Bastille Day. Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel used a 19-tonne lorry to mow down victims on July 14 before being shot dead by officers. Five suspected accomplices — four men and a woman, aged between 22 and 40 — appeared in court last week charged with a range of terrorist crimes.