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Heavily armed Paris gunmen still on the loose

AAP

AAP

Heavily-armed gunmen who shot dead journalists and police in France are being hunted by police.

The men, believed to be either two or three in number, stormed the headquarters of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo at approximately 9pm on Thursday evening (Australian time) and reportedly shot dead at least 12 people and wounded four.

The men were armed with automatic weapons, and one witness claimed to have seen them brandishing a rocket launcher.

Deadly attack at Paris magazine, at least 12 dead
• World leaders condemn ‘sickening’ Paris shooting

The men reportedly yelled Islamic chants throughout the attack, but no Islamic terror group has yet claimed responsibility.

French President Francois Hollande has said there was “no doubt” the shooting was a  terrorist attack.

Paris gunmen

Armed gunman run towards a victim outside the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris. Photo: AAP

The masked attackers were believed to have fired their weapons inside the office and then exchanged shots with police in the street outside before escaping by car.

French police have said the getaway vehicle was later dumped in Rue de Meaux, northern Paris, where the men hijacked a second car.

A 3,000-strong police task force was searching for the men.

Four of the magazine’s well-known cartoonists, including its editor, were reportedly among those killed, as well as two police officers.

Parisians bravely captured footage of the unfolding attack from surrounding rooftops and balconies.

One video showed the gunmen shooting a Paris policeman at point-blank range as he lay wounded on the footpath.

The men then returned to a reportedly stolen vehicle and drove away.

Another video showed a terrified pedestrian hiding between parked cars as gunshots rang out on the deserted Paris street.

Workers on a nearby rooftop also filmed the masked gunmen firing rounds of ammunition before shouting “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest) between loud gunfire.

It is believed to be the deadliest attack in France since the Paris Massacre of 1961 when police attacked a civilian demonstration.

In December, hundreds of soldiers were deployed around France after a trio of alleged terror attacks left one person dead.

One man was shot by police after attacking officers with a knife while shouting “Allahu akbar” the same phrase reportedly yelled during Wednesday’s attack.

Also in December, two men drove their cars into dozens of pedestrians in separate attacks, with one of the drivers also shouting the same phrase.

French President Francois Hollande said several terrorist attacks had been foiled in the lead up to the most recent Paris shooting, saying it was a “tense time”.

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