Europe

Counter-terrorism police dog Diesel died in Saint-Denis operation

Belgian shepherd dog killed in shoot-out with suspected terrorists near Paris

A photograph, posted along with a tweet by the Police Nationale, which reads: “Assault and explosives search dogs: indispensable in the missions.”
A photograph, posted along with a tweet by the Police Nationale, which reads: “Assault and explosives search dogs: indispensable in the missions.”
Wed Nov 18 2015 - 12:29

A counter-terrorism police dog died as officers stormed an apartment believed to be the hiding place of the mastermind of Friday’s Paris attacks.

The seven-year-old Belgian shepherd dog, called Diesel, was killed in a shoot-out with a number of suspected terrorists, thought to have included lead plotter Abdelhamid Abaaoud, that saw one female blow herself up.

A tweet by Police Nationale confirmed the death of the animal from its Research, Assistance, Intervention and Deterrence (RAID) unit.

“Diesel, a seven-year-old Malinois, RAID assault dog, was killed by terrorists in the current operation,” they announced.

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The police spokesman added that dogs such as Diesel who are trained to assist on operations where there is a risk of explosives were “indispensable” to the elite unit.

Five police officers were said to have suffered injuries in the operation to capture Abaaoud that began at 4.25am (3.25 irish-time).

Witnesses described hearing heavy gunfire and the sound of large explosions and grenades coming from the apartment building in Rue du Cornillon, Saint-Denis.

One male and one female suspected terrorists were killed in the six-hour operation and police made five arrests.