Paris attack latest: Isis claims responsibility for multiple stabbing in Opera district

Terrorist group describes unnamed attacker as 'soldier of the Islamic State'

Isis has claimed responsibility for a knife attack in Paris that left at least one victim dead and four others injured.

A statement released through the group's propaganda agency described the attacker as a "soldier of the Islamic State" and claimed the atrocity was in response to its calls to target countries bombing its territories in Syria and Iraq.

Francois Molins, the Paris prosecutor, did not confirm Isis involvement but said the attack was being investigated as terrorism.

He described the victim killed as a "passer-by" and said the four others wounded had also been stabbed.

"At this stage and on the basis on testimonies describing the attacker shouting 'Allahu akbar' while attacking passers-by with a knife, as well as the modus operandi, the counter-terror section of the Paris prosecutor's office is investigating."

The atrocity came after a series of similar attacks claimed by Isis in France and around the world.

Paris was the site of the deadliest Isis attack in Europe on 13 November 2015, when attackers armed with guns and suicide vests targeted the Bataclan concert hall, Stade de France and restaurants, killing 130 people.

The terrorist group intensified calls for supporters to launch attacks in their home countries when it became harder to reach the ever-shrinking territory militants seized in 2014.

The stabbings took place near the Paris' main opera house (Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images)

It has used propaganda magazines, websites, social media channels and Telegram to distribute advice on carrying out massacres using knives, vehicles, guns and bombs.

Emmanuel Macron said France had "paid once again the price of blood but will not cede an inch to the enemies of freedom."

A witness told The Independent the assailant was shouting “Allahu akbar” and trying to get into restaurants as diners barricaded the doors.

“First we thought it was two guys fighting,” said Fiona, who was having dinner in Kintaro restaurant and did not want her second name published.

“People that were queueing outside ran into the restaurant screaming, so everyone panicked and threw themselves on the floor.”

Fiona said the same man came back with the knife minutes later and was “screaming Allahu akbar”.

“Some guys including my friend blocked the door in case he would try to enter,” she added.

“When we ran away they were still looking for the guy and one woman was lying down on the floor. Her neck was bleeding.”

The attack took place on Rue Saint-Augustin, which is famed for its many restaurants, and the attacker was shot in the adjoining Rue Monsigny.

Yvan Assioma, the regional secretary of the Police Alliance, said officers who arrived first on the scene were threatened by a “bearded individual”.

He said an officer used his taser on the attacker before he was shot by his colleague.

The multiple stabbing was launched at around 9pm local time (8pm BST) in the Opera district of the French capital.​

Gerard Collomb, the French interior minister, praised the “sang froid and quick reaction of police officers who neutralised the assailant”.

“The victims of this despicable act are first in my thoughts.”

Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, said all Parisiens were at the side of those wounded and their loved ones.

“Tonight, our city was bruised,” she wrote on Twitter. “I want to salute the police, whose composure, courage and professionalism have once again saved lives. They have my gratitude. I would also like to thank the emergency services that went very quickly to take care of the wounded.”