Brussels raid: 'Isis flag and jihadist manual found by gunman's body', say Belgian prosecutors

One suspect died and four police officers were injured in the raid on Tuesday

(Reuters)

An Isis flag and jihadist manual were found next to a terror suspect killed during a shootout with Brussels police.

The man, who has been identified as an Algerian national called Mohammed Belkaid, was killed after opening fire on police during the raid on his apartment in the suburb of Forest. It is understood that he was 35 years old and did not have a criminal record beyond one case of robbery.

Police say that two people are in custody in relation to the attackl including one man who was found in an overnight house search and another who reportedly broke his leg in the raid. Officers continue to hunt for two more suspects who have not been identified.

The raid is linked to the Paris attacks in November last year. On 13 Novemember, 130 people died in a number of suicide bombings and mass shootings at cafes, restaurants and a concert hall in the French capital. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

Four police officers were wounded in yesterday's attack. Federal prosecutors have said they believe the man who was shot dead was in Belgium illegally.

It is understood that police entered a property as part of an anti-terrorism raid in the south Brussels suburb of Forest. They expected to find the property empty but instead were met with armed attackers who fired at police.

Eric Van Der Sypt, a spokesperson for the Belgian federal prosecutor, said that the search had been: "linked to the Paris attacks investigation." However, he said that the deceased was not Salah Abdeslam, a key suspect in the Novermber Paris massacre. He said: "A body was found during a search of a house... his identity has not been established yet but whatever the case, it is not Salah Abdeslam."

A heightened terror alert remains in place in the city.

Prime Minister Charles Michel said that police are planning further operations in the coming hours and days. He told local media: "the threat remains."