European police fear that Islamic State is directing its European fighters to break into civilian homes and kill them in the name of jihad.
Ever since the murder of a police officer in Paris who was stabbed to death by an Islamic State fighter in his home along with his wife, European authorities worry that the attack is the latest tactic of terror from the group.
The stabbing to death of the French officer marks a distinct turn in the tactics of Islamic State, from targeting uniformed police in public to targeting them in their own homes. The Federation of German Detectives (BDK) is now preparing their officers for the chance a similar attack will happen to them, Die Welt reports.
Chairman of the BDK Andre Schulz told German press: “We have indications that terrorists want to target and attack police including our own.” He explained that attacks of this nature were meant to destabilise the trust and faith the population has in the police to be able to act and even protect themselves from acts of terror.
“That will stoke up more uncertainty in the population, but also possibly provoke an overreaction from the police,” he said.
Military forces across Europe have, for years, mandated policies in which their soldiers are not allowed to wear their uniforms off base. The fear is that Islamic State fighters or other jihadists could follow the soldiers home or to somewhere where they are vulnerable.
