Nightmare on security comes true

Simultaneous attacks on multiple targets by gunmen and suicide bombers working in unison: a nightmare scenario that France’s anti-terror agencies had dreaded for months came true in Paris.

Security officials and experts have predicted that an unprecedented attack was in the offing, and would be nigh impossible to thwart.

“Determined guys who are prepared to die, who have studied their target and have a solid operational background, they can do a lot of damage,” Yves Trotignon, who used to work for DGSE intelligence agency’s anti-terrorist service, recently said.

“More jihadist fighters are graduating as veterans every day. Faced with that, it has to be said, the (security) services are overwhelmed,” he said.

“The risk is greatest from groups of young men who return hardened from conflicts, maybe in Syria, maybe Libya or Yemen, then obtain weapons here (in France) and go over into action,” Mr Trotignon said. Since the January slaying of 17 people in joint attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket, anti-terror, intelligence and the police have been rehearsing for another such assault.