THIS is the first photo of an IS maniac who killed one and injured four others as he rampaged through Paris last night.

The 21-year-old attacker, named by prosecutors as Khamzat Asimov, claimed asylum in France with his family in the early 2000s and was on a security watch-list because of suspected links to ISIS.

18 This is the first photo of IS maniac Khamzat Asimov Credit: AFP or licensors

The suspected terrorist is believed to have shouted "kill me before I kill you" as he attacked innocent passersby on a busy Parisian street.

A Paris prosecutor said the attacker shouted: "Allahu Akbar" before he was shot dead by police marksmen.

Journalist Charles Pellegrin said: "I came out of a comedy show near Opéra in central Paris and was immediately told to go back in because there was a madman with a knife.

"Once back inside we heard sirens and two gun shots.

18 A wounded man is seen on Rue Marsolier Credit: Reuters

"I then spoke to eyewitnesses who told me a man stabbed multiple people at random."

Yesterday morning cops in Strasbourg arrested a suspected pal of Asimov's.

Now prosecutors in the French capital have confirmed that the so far unnamed killer was to an ‘S card’ – an official term used to flag up individuals who are considered a threat to national security.

Although he had no criminal record, agents were concerned that he was in contact with ISIS contacts.

It was the first time that a terrorist with links Chechnya has struck in France, said investigating sources.

"He came to France as a political refugee in the early 2000s, and as he grew up displayed an increasing interest in radical Islam," one added.

ISIS has numerous fighters from the Russian republic of Chechnya in its ranks, many of whom travel to countries such as Syria for training.

18 A total of five people were stabbed by the knifeman Credit: Twitter

18 Cops put a large section of central Paris in lockdown Credit: AP:Associated Press

18 Journalist Charles Pellegrin was at the scene in Paris

18 The knifeman has been shot dead by cops Credit: Twitter

18 The attacker was subdued by officers during the stabbing attack in the 2nd arrondissement Credit: AP:Associated Press

18 Forensic officers investigate after the attack Credit: AP:Associated Press

18 French authorities said a terror investigation had been launched Credit: AFP or licensors

18 Witnesses spoke of panic as people tried to hide in restaurants and cafes Credit: AP:Associated Press

18 Police have sealed off the area in central Paris Credit: AFP or licensors

Eyewitness Fiona Zanetti tweeted: "I was in a restaurant rue saint Augustin in the 2eme arrondissement, crowd panic, blood, a guy with a knife in the streets and people screaming, avoid the area if you can."

French police said the suspect was shot dead in the capital's central Opera district.

Judicial sources told French media that the male attacker was born in the southern Russian republic of Chechnya in 1997.

The assailant is believed to have arrived in France in the early 2000s as a refugee and had no previous criminal record.

According to sources, the suspect's parents have been arrested and held for questioning.

The attacker began stabbing passers-by at around 9pm local time, on the rue Monsigny.

He was described by eyewitnesses as a young man with brown hair and a beard, and was apparently dressed in black tracksuit bottoms.

18 French police have confirmed the man was shot dead by police Credit: AFP or licensors

18 The attack took place near the city's main opera house in the heart of the French capital Credit: AFP or licensors

18 French cops said the attacker had been 'overcome' Credit: AFP or licensors

18 The motive for the attack is not yet known Credit: AFP or licensors

The attacker allegedly attempted to enter several bars and restaurants but had been block out by those inside.

Police are said to have arrived on the scene within minutes of the first reports of an attacker.

An unnamed woman who was interviewed on BFM TV said a young woman was at the entrance when "a man arrived and attacked her with a knife."

A friend came to her aid and the attacker left, "hitting on all the doors, all the shops," the witness told the station.

He turned onto another street, and everyone scattered, the witness said.

18 Police stand guard after one person was killed and several injured in a knife attack Credit: AFP or licensors

Another witness named Gloria said: "I was having a drink with friends and we heard a boom."

She went outside to see a man lying on the floor.

Pierre Gaudin, a senior official at the Paris prefecture, said: "A person attacked five people in the second district of Paris. Police intervened immediately.

"The individual died. Another person, seriously injured (by the attacked) died from their injuries."

18 The French President said the country would 'not yield an inch to the enemies of freedom' Credit: AFP or licensors

Paris police issued a statement saying: "One victim is dead, two are seriously injured and two are slightly injured, the perpetrator is dead."

Witnesses spoke of panic and trying to hide in nearby restaurants and cafes.

According to witnesses, cops tried to taser the attacker but this failed to stop the attacker who was then shot with two bullets, according to France24.

President Emmanuel Macron said France would not cede to "enemies of freedom" after the terrorist stabbing.

He said that France had once again "paid the price of blood but will not cede and inch to the enemies of freedom."

18 Credit: AFP or licensors

Armed cops were deployed to the streets of ParisFrench Interior Minister Gerard Collomb called it an "odious" attack and praised officers for their actions.

François Molins, the Paris prosecutor and the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo are currently on the scene of the attack.

Molins confirmed authorities were treating the attack as being terrorist related and the man had shouted 'Allahu Akbar'.

He said the victim who had been killed was a "passer-by".

"At this stage and on the basis on testimonies describing the attacker shouting 'Allahu akbar' while attacking passers-by with a knife, as well as the modus operandi, the counter-terror section of the Paris prosecutor's office is investigating."

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Yvan Assioma, the regional secretary of the Police Alliance, said officers who arrived first on the scene were threatened by a "bearded individual".

The identity of the attacker is so far unclear.

ISIS has tried to claim responsibility for the attack, with the terror group issuing a statement through their propaganda agency.

The statement described the attacker as a "soldier of the Islamic State," adding it was in response to its calls to target countries bombing the territory under its control in Syria and Iraq.

It was though unable to provide any evidence to back up its claims.

Emergency services arrive at the scene where four people were stabbed by a knifeman

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