Masked man claiming Islamic State link stabs teacher in Paris

A teacher has been attacked at a nursery school in Paris by a hooded knife-wielding man claiming links to Islamic State. The 45-year-old male victim was alone in his classroom at the kindergarten in the northern suburb of Aubervilliers, when the assailant burst in at around 7.30am local time. The teacher is reported to have been stabbed in the side and throat. He was taken to hospital but his injuries are not understood to be life-threatening.

This is Daesh, it’s a warning.

The attacker’s words before the attack, according to the prosecutor.

His attacker, wearing overalls and a balaclava, fled the scene and is being hunted by police. He apparently found the weapon at the school. The investigation is being led by anti-terror officers. The French capital has been on a heightened state of alert in the wake of the recent atrocities claimed by IS. The terror group, which control swathes of Syria and Iraq, had vowed to attack France, which is a member of the US-led coalition carrying out airstrikes against it. Jihadists have also made specific threats against teachers in France, with propaganda material claiming they were “enemies of Allah” and that schools cultivated “ignorance and moral corruption” in children.

We will continue to reinforce security measures at schools in a context where schools feel threatened.

French Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem

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