At least 129 people were killed in multiple attacks at six different sites across the French capital on Friday.
A large police operation on Wednesday resulted in the arrest of eight suspects and authorities are working to confirm the death of three militants.
One of the first emergency responders on the scene was Patrick Pelloux, a former health columnist for French magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Policemen guard the special operation zone while French police fire nearly 5,000 rounds during a ferocious firefight north of Paris with a fourth terrorist cell that was “ready to strike”. Source: AAP
It brought back memories of a similar scene 10 months ago when he gave his colleagues emergency treatment after two gunmen opened fire, killing 12 people.
‘Lessons learnt after Charlie Hebdo attack helped to save lives’
Pelloux told SBS Europe Correspondent Brett Mason he did not let the pain of those memories interfere with the duty at hand.
After receiving a call to respond to those injured at the Stade de France football stadium, he knew he had to act quickly.
“What we saw has been a total massacre because they attacked with war weapons,” he said.
“So, as soon as the two bombs blasted at the stadium and they started to shoot in the street we knew we had to go really fast.”
He said the lessons in medical preparedness learnt after Charlie Hebdo meant emergency responders were ready to swing into action.
“We read a lot of military medical literature and we knew that if we went as fast as we could, if we applied compressions, or use products which are by the way from the US Army and from the Israeli Army on wounds - products to stop haemorrhages - we had a chance to save a maximum [number] of injured people,” he said.
“I believe we must have saved around 60 people which would have certainly died without these methods.”
Three suicide bombers blew themselves up separately at or near the stadium, with one bystander killed in the first explosion.
French President Francois Hollande had been watching the game at the stadium and was immediately evacuated before access to the venue was sealed off.
‘We are at war’
Pelloux said while understanding the logic of IS eludes him, it is clear that their ideology of hate needs to be countered.
“They have been terrorising the planet for more than 10 years. They kill Muslims, they kill everybody, and there is a point where you just say 'enough is enough',” he said.
“We are the children of Churchill, Roosvelt, De Gaulle, Jean Moulin. We are the children that were born after the victory on the German Nazis. Now we have to fight the Nazis of Islam that want to kill the whole of humanity.
“Those who do not understand this or do not want to join the fight with us will have attacks in their country anyway because it is the whole of humanity they are after.”
He said there is support for French President Francois Hollande to continue France’s military campaign against IS in Syria for the very reason that the group represents a global threat.
“Sadly [IS] have such hate, they are so well organised. There is a secret army in France that has invaded the country in a way and is running a war.”
‘Terrorists will never win’
As France continues to grieve for the victims of the Paris attacks, the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo hit the streets.
The cover image depicts an image of a bullet-ridden man with champagne flowing from the wounds. Beneath the image there is a French phrase that translates to "They have weapons. F--- them. We have champagne!”
The cover has received widespread praise for capturing the view held by many in the wake of the Paris attacks.
The cover of the latest edition of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo Source: AAP
Mr Pelloux said the cover underlines how important it is to maintain a strong French identity during this time.
“France was the first country to tell the kings that it was finished, it is a country that throughout history has been on a quest for humanitarian values and human rights".
“France was the first country to tell the kings that it was finished, it is a country that throughout history has been on a quest for humanitarian values and human rights.
“It was the first country that has told religions that faith is something between your ears and it is not something that should lead the world.
“Therefore, it is a country that is on a perpetual quest for humanity’s enhancement and not for submission by religious ideas from anywhere.
Thousands turn out across Paris observe a moment of silence for the victims of Paris terror attacks at the Place de la Republique square in Paris, France on Nov. 15, 2015. Source: AAP
“It was the first country that has told religions that faith is something between your ears and it is not something that should lead the world.
“This is what is important in France. This is what [IS] wants to destroy. They want to destroy this culture because they know if they make France fall, they will make Australia, the United States, Canada fall, etc. This is the reality.”
He said terrorists cannot be allowed to win.
“Terrorists will never win. They will all die because we will win.”
‘Important to support Paris’
He urged the support from Australia and other countries for the people of France to continue.
“They have attacked the city of lights, the city that carries all the roots of multiculturalism, [and the city that] accepts tolerance, love, generosity.
“They have attacked the city of lights, the city that carries all the roots of multiculturalism, [and the city that] accepts tolerance, love, generosity.
“This is why there is a global whirlwind revolving around Paris. It is so important to support Paris and we still need people’s support because it is really hard for everybody right now.”
