French police launched a dawn raid on Wednesday as they hunted down those behind the terror attacks that claimed 129 lives in the French capital five days ago.

A snapshot:

 - Around 04:20 am (0320 GMT): anti-terrorist police raid an apartment in Paris suburb Saint-Denis, home to the Stade de France stadium. Shooting breaks out.

- 04:31 am (0331 GMT): firemen say they have joined the operation against "an armed group holed up in an apartment". Police say between two and four people are inside.

- Around 05:00 am (0400 GMT): intermittent gunfire can still be heard.

- 05:49 am (0449 GMT): two police officers have been injured, a source close to the probe says.       

- 07:03 am (0603 GMT): At least one person is killed in the apartment, according to a source close to the raid.

- 07:30 am (0630 GMT): large explosions and firing are heard.

- 07:40 am (0640 GMT): local authorities recommend that local inhabitants stay indoors.

- 07:56 am (0656 GMT): two suspected jihadists holed up in the apartment die during the police siege, including a woman who detonated an explosives vest, according to police sources. At least three police are injured in the operation.

- 09:17 am (0817 GMT): three men holed up inside the apartment are arrested, while a man and woman are arrested nearby, according to the prosecutor's office.

- 10:00 am (0900 GMT:) a government meeting at the Elysee Palace held as the operation continues.

- 11:26 am (1026 GMT): police say the assault is over and that seven have been arrested, of which three in the targeted apartment, two in neighbouring apartments and another two in the neighbourhood.
Source: AFP