Terror alert raised to highest level in northern France after Paris shooting

France has increased on Thursday its security alert system, Vigipirat, to attack alert in its northern region of Picardie, where two suspects of the Charlie Hebdo shooting are reported to be hidden, the French prime minister's office said.

In addition to the Ile-de-France region, police patrols and security have been reinforced at public places including major stores, religious centers and public transportation systems.

A police source confirmed on Thursday the two suspects of the Charlie Hebdo shooting were located in the Picardie municipality of Villers-Cotterets.

The suspects were thought to be hidden in a house in Crepy-en-Valois, about 60 km northeast of Paris, France 3 Picardie TV channel cited.

They were previously seen in a grey Clio car in Aisne, near Viller-Cotterets, according to a separate media report. The manager of a gas station, the only witness, said he "surely recognized the two men."

The two suspects have been identified as 32-year-old Cherif Kouachi, who served 18 months in prison on terrorism charges, and his 34-year-old brother, Said. The two men are considered "armed and dangerous," police said.

Twelve people, including two policemen, were killed on Wednesday and 11 others were wounded after two masked and armed men opened fire on the satirical magazine staff during an editorial meeting. Endit