THIS is the shocking moment a known terror sympathiser is dragged from his car filled with smoking explosives and weapons after smashing into a police convoy in Paris.

The suspect, 31, died in the apparent terror attack on the tourist-packed Champs-Elysees.

12 French police swarm around the smoking Renault car that was packed with explosives and weapons Credit: Twitter /Elugeescojonudo

12 Cops dragged the driver away from the car as shocked bystanders watched in horror Credit: Twitter /Elugeescojonudo

12 A bomb squad robot is pictured beside the suspect's dead body in the Champs-Elysees area of Paris

12 A wide shot of the scene near the Champs-Elysee which features what is said to be a gas canister at the front of the image Credit: EPA

Miraculously no one else was injured during the panic on Monday evening.

The "radicalised" attacker was later pictured being stripped naked by bomb squad officers.

The Renault Megane was seen targeting a line of police vans that were travelling up the Champs-Elysee towards the Arc de Trimophe.

12 The car which the man reportedly used to ram the French police van Credit: Getty Images

12 A French officer is pictured removing the clothes from the dead suspect Credit: Getty Images

12 A gas canister is pictured on the right hand side of the scene which has been cordoned off by authorities Credit: AP:Associated Press

Witnesses said the suspect's car "exploded" on impact with the van and that the driver, who has not been named.

An investigating source said: "There was a sudden impact, and then a fireball. A gas bomb was in the car.

"The man was very badly injured, and then pulled out of his damaged vehicle.

"He did not cause any injuries, but the collision was a deliberate act."

Police who searched the car found a Kalashnikov assault rife in the boot, along with knives and rounds of ammunition.

A gas canister has also been pictured at the scene of the crash in one of the French capital busiest areas.

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Police said a gas bomb had caused the explosion, which could be heard up to half a mile away around the Louvre museum.

Two police officials told The Associated Press that a handgun was found on the driver, who they said was badly burned after the vehicle exploded.

The bomb squad arrived at the scene and an explosives-detecting robot has been pictured inspecting the attacker's dead body.

France's Interior Minister Gerard Collomb confirmed that the suspected terrorist had died and had been identified thanks to documents found in the Megane.

The man was reportedly subject to a so-called S-File which are security documents that list the details of those who are considered a threat to France, and many are under surveillance.

12 The suspected attacker's body is pictured with a number of emergency vehicles in the background Credit: Getty Images

12 Emergency workers cover the attacker's body with a white sheet after inspecting the corpse for explosives Credit: Getty Images

12 An armed officer at the scene of the terrifying crash in central Paris Credit: Reuters

12 Armed police and other emergency workers pictured at the scene in the bustling tourist area of the French capital Credit: Reuters

12 Emergency vehicles pictured in the Champs-Elysees area of Paris amid reports a car rammed into a police van

"It looks like this was a deliberate act," Interior Ministry Spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told reporters at the scene.

Witness said they saw officers cordon off an area near the avenue and close to the presidential Elysee palace.

The announcement on a police Twitter account advised the public to avoid the area, and came after people took to social media to report that a car had caught fire in the area.

Visiting the scene of the attack, Mr Collomb said: "Again the forces of law and order in France were targeted, this time with an attack on the Champs Elysee against a police patrol."

He confirmed "arms and explosives" were used in the attack, as well as the car.

The Minister said the security threat to France remained "at its highest level" and that he would be ensuring that the State of Emergency "remains in place permanently for the foreseeable future".

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