Dozens of French Muslims are training with the Taliban in Northwest Pakistan, raising fears of future attacks after the shooting deaths of seven people in southern France allegedly by a man who spent time in the region, Pakistani intelligence officials said.
Authorities are investigating whether Mohamed Red, suspected Algerian descent He killed three schoolchildren, a Jewish rabbi and three French umbrella in Toulouse this month, was among a group training, officials said.
Mr. Red was killed in a gunfight with police Thursday after a dramatic standoff 32 hours in his apartment of Toulouse. 23-year-old former auto body worker went twice to Afghanistan in Pakistan in 2010 and in 2011, and claims to have trained with al-Qaeda militant strongholds in Pakistani Waziristan.
About 85 people in France have been training with the Pakistani Taliban in North Waziristan tribal area for the past three years, according to intelligence officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media. Most men who have dual citizenship with France and North Africa.
The French were operating under the name of Jihad-e-Islami and was trained to use explosives and other weapons in the camps near the town of Miran Shah and in the area of Datta Khel, the officials said. They are led by a commander of the French that goes with the name Abu Tarek. Five of the men returned to France in January 2011 to find new recruits, according to officials. It is unclear whether Mr. Red is among groups.
