France terror attack kills three; suspected killer also gunned down

At least three people were killed Friday in a shooting spree and hostage siege in southern France by a man claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group, security sources told AFP.

Security forces killed the gunman -- believed to be a Moroccan who was on a watchlist of suspected Islamic extremists -- after he carried out three separate attacks in the medieval town of Carcassonne and nearby Trebes.

A police union official, Yves Lefebvre, confirmed the suspect was killed by police, reported the Guardian.

A major counter-terrorism operation took place in the town after the armed man hijacked a car, killing one person, and then attempted to mow down four police officers on their morning run, opening fire and injuring one officer in the shoulder.

The same individual, who local officials said had sworn allegiance to Islamic State, reportedly then drove to the supermarket in Trèbes. He entered the busy store at about 11am local time (1000 GMT) and immediately opened fire, killing two people, before taking several others hostage.

The euronews said the attacker was named as 26-year-old Redouane Lakdim, a small-time criminal who had been known to police. He is believed to have acted alone.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the incident appeared to be terror-related, while unconfirmed reports said the gunman pledged allegiance to Islamic State. 

Islamic State has also claimed the attack but provided no evidence of a direct connection to Lakdim.