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This video selfie shows the Istanbul nightclub shooting suspect SMIRKING before 39 people were killed on New Year's Day.

The suspect stares into the lens as he films himself in the popular meeting area Taksim Square before an ISIS-inspired killer massacred dozens.

The man is pictured wearing a black hooded jacket as he films himself, making it clear exactly where he is.

The footage was released the day after ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack at the popular Reina club, when a man with an AK-47 fired at least 180 bullets at the crowd.

The terror group claimed the suspect used hand grenades in addition to a high-powered firearm.

Istanbul police tonight carried out an operation at a home in the city’s Zeytinburnu neighbourhood tonight, according to Haber Turk news channel, but no one was arrested.

Special operations officers and a police helicopter were launched after authorities received a tip-off today, but the manhunt for the killer continues.

(Image: AFP)

At least 12 people have been arrested in relation to the incident.

Initial police reports suggest the killer may be aged 25 and come from Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan.

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Officers are also investigating the possibility that the attacker may be from Xinjiang in eastern China.

CCTV footage believed to show the gunman handing over identification documents at a bureau, has also been revealed.

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(Image: REUTERS)

The suspect, dressed in a black jacket with a red hood over a black top, is shown handing over documents before entering the country at an unidentified date and location.

According to specialists who examined CCTV footage of the IS militant rampaging into the nightclub, he looks professionally trained on how to use the weapon and could have injured his foot.

Anti-terror expert Abdullah Ağar said: “The attacker is determined, faithful, practical, coldblooded, expert and knows how to get results.

“He probably fired these bullets before in real clash zones. He had no hesitation in shooting at innocent people. He is absolutely a killer and he most probably shot at humans before.”

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(Image: AFP)

Police claim to know the identity of the attacker, but are refusing to release it to protect their investigation.

A woman spoke today about how she was forced to watch her friend murdered during the horror attack on January 1.

(Image: Instagram/volnovanatasha)

Natasha Volnova thought fireworks were going off when the killer burst into Reina nightclub with an AK-47 and shot at New Year's Eve revellers.

The 22-year-old dived under a table as the murder sprayed almost 200 bullets around the packed venue.

Speaking to Mirror Online today, she said: "We all thought it was fireworks, then I saw people fall down."

(Image: Facebook)

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Miss Volnova desperately tried to hide as she saw the gunman running into the club and begin shooting.

She said: "I saw only his back, on his head was a black cap."

Her friend was tragically killed in the attack.