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2 killed in France Christmas market ‘terror attack’ (Third Lead)
Paris, Dec 12 (IANS) A gunman shouting “Allahu Akbar” opened fire near a Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg, killing two people in an incident believed to be a “terrorist attack”, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Cherif C, killed two people in the Tuesday night attack and left one on life support with no chance of recovery, said Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz. He later fled the scene but was injured by troops.
The police had previously said three people were killed and 13 were injured in the incident.
“Given the targeted place, the attacker’s operating way, his profile and testimonies collected from those who heard him shout ‘Allahu Akbar’, the anti-terrorist section of the Paris prosecutor’s office … opens an inquiry into attempt of assassination linked to a terrorist enterprise,” Heitz said.
The gunman — who remains on the run — has an extensive criminal background that includes 27 convictions in France, Germany, and Switzerland, mainly for acts of robbery and violence, CNN reported.
More than 350 police gendarmes and soldiers supported by air units were mobilized to find the suspect, who was already known to security services as a possible threat, the police said.
Raids were conducted on places he frequented and led to the arrests of four people, officials were cited as saying by Efe news.
The attack prompted France to raise its national security threat level to its highest “emergency terror attack” status.
“What happened last night is unquestionably an attack, a form of terrorist attack,” Strasbourg Mayor Roland Ries told CNN.
Strasbourg’s famed Christmas Market is one of the oldest in Europe and draws millions of visitors each year.
The suspect entered the perimetre of the market by the city’s Corbeau Bridge and used an automatic weapon and knife to launch an attack on several people on the Rue des Orfevres at 8 p.m.
Cherif C subsequently fired on four soldiers who were out on patrol. They responded with gunfire, injuring him in the arm. He fled the scene in a taxi and asked to be taken to the Neudorf neighbourhood, without giving a specific address, reports say.
According to the prosecutor, he told the taxi driver he had shot and killed 10 people.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.