The dangerous fugitive used skype to contact two friends while on the run

Salah Abdeslam, 26, is believed to be the eight gunman and is wanted in connection to the horrific co-ordinated ISIS attacks

The fugitive ISIS gunman wanted in connection to the deadly Paris attacks has spoken to three friends via Skype and is thought to be hiding in Brussels, Belgium.

Salah Abdeslam, 26, is believed to be the eighth gunman and played a key part in organising the horrific co-ordinated ISIS attacks.

Two of the jihadi's friend told Salah's brother Mohammed, that they had spoken to the wanted man although it remains unclear why he made contact.

Fresh photos of Salah emerged this week with the radical Islamist wearing a pair of large framed glasses and long floppy hair.

It is believed the wanted gunman may be in disguise after photos were published of him as part of a wanted poster.

'I believe he is not far away,' Mohammed Abdeslam when asked about the phone conversation, sparking suggestions his brother may be hiding in Brussels.

He urged his brother to give himself up and contact the authorities.

Salah Abdeslam, a French national, lived in Brussels for several years, and is thought to have played a key part in organising logistics for the shocking terror attacks in Paris.

Despite an international arrest warrant on his head, the French national has so far managed to evade capture after going on the run on November 13.

Police did stop Salah Abdeslam just before the Belgian border but after briefly questioning him, they mistakenly allowed the wanted terrorist to carry on his way.

It is believed the dangerous gunman was assisted over the border along with two men, who were later arrested by police.

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'I believe he is not far away,' Mohammed Abdeslam (pictured) when asked about the phone conversation, sparking suggestions his brother may be hiding in Brussels

Mohammed Abdeslam was questioned and later released by police after the horrific attacks in Paris. Three days ago he was spotted lighting candles in remembrance of the victims in the attack

The embarrassing gaffe was later confirmed by the police who are pursuing Abdeslam having tracked down and killed the attack's mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud.

Abaaoud died in a hail of bullets after a lengthy shootout with police, in which over 5,000 gun rounds were fired by police and two of the three heavily armed wanted men.

Abaaoud's cousin, Hasna Aitboulahcen, was also killed in the shooting, although initial reports that she had died after detonating a suicide vest proved to be false.

A third suspect in the flat is thought to have detonated his vest, killing Hasna Aitboulahcen and wanted ISIS poster boy Abdelhamid Abaaoud.

Wanted: Police have issued an international arrest warrant for 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam, from Brussels, who is one of three brothers said to be involved in terror plot and rented their getaway

Hiding: Authorities had believed he might be hiding with Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected mastermind of the Paris terror attacks, pictured, who was staying in a flat in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis

Suspect: Salah's brother Brahim Abdeslam (left) blew himself up at le Comptoir Voltaire. Belgian Bilal Hadfi, 20, (centre left), detonated his suicide vest at the Stade de France, French bomber Omar Mostefai, centre, killed himself at the Bataclan and Samy Amimour, 28, (right) was also involved in the gig attack

Timeline of events: Eight terrorists carried out the devastating attacks on Friday night, leaving 130 people dead and another 352 injured

The hunt for Salah Abdeslam comes as heavily armed police and soldiers patrolled in the streets of Brussels today.

The city's subways as well as many stores were closed as the government warned of a threat of Paris-style attacks.

Prime Minister Charles Michel said the decision to raise the threat alert to the highest level was taken 'based on quite precise information about the risk of an attack like the one that happened in Paris.'

The plot involved 'several individuals with arms and explosives', according to the Prime Minister who speculated the jiihadis may have been looking to target several locations.

The Belgian Federal Prosecutor's office said Saturday that several weapons were discovered during the search of the home of one of three people arrested in connection with the Paris attacks, but said no explosives were found.

Authorities across Europe, the Mideast and in Washington are trying to determine how a network of primarily French and Belgian attackers with links to Islamic extremists in Syria plotted and carried out the deadliest violence in France in decades - and how many may still be on the run.

Prime Minister Charles Michel (pictured centre) said the decision to raise the threat alert to the highest level was taken 'based on quite precise information about the risk of an attack like the one that happened in Paris'

The city's subways as well as many stores were closed as the government warned of a threat of Paris-style attacks

Belgian soldiers patrol the streets of Brussels as the government raised the terror alert level following 'serious and imminent threat'