In Brussels, a police officer was stabbed to death

An attack with a knife has resulted in the death of one police officer and the injury of another officer in Brussels.

After being assaulted on Thursday evening in the neighborhood of the Brussels North train station, the two officers were brought to the hospital following the incident.

According to reports from the local media, the perpetrator of the incident has also passed away at the hospital after being shot at the site.

It is not clear what motivated the attacker, but officials who investigate acts of terrorism have stated that they have taken over the inquiry.

Spokesman Eric Van Duyse stated that "We took charge of the case because there is suspicion of a terrorist motive," which will either be confirmed or disproved by the investigators. "We took charge of the case because there is suspicion of a terrorist motive,"

Before they were assaulted, the two police officers had been conducting patrol in the area where it happened.

According to the police, another patrol came at the scene and "neutralized" the attacker by shooting him in the legs and abdomen before taking him to the hospital.

Shortly after the assault, which took place at approximately 19:15 in the local time zone, a local resident claimed to the AFP news agency that they heard "five or six shots" fired (18:15 GMT).

Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, expressed his sympathies to the family and friends of the fallen police officer in a tweet by writing: "Every day, our police officers put their lives on the line in order to protect the residents of our nation. This point was driven home once again by the drama that occurred today."

He continued by saying, "My earnest prayer is that his hospitalized colleague will make a full recovery."

The sight of police tape, cordoning off streets, and flashing blue lights all bring back unpleasant memories for Brussels.

There have been six years since the coordinated terrorist attack in Brussels that killed 32 people in 2016, but the city still bears the marks of that attack. It took place at the main airport and on the metro.

In the following weeks, nine individuals who are suspected of being associated with a cell that belonged to the so-called Islamic State are scheduled to stand trial for their roles in the assaults.

BBC