THE HAGUE, Netherlands Nov 10, 2004 — Dutch special forces were locked in a standoff with an unknown number of suspected terrorists holed up in a house in The Hague after three officers were wounded by a hand grenade during an attempted raid Wednesday, authorities said.

Authorities closed the airspace over the city to small planes during the predawn operation. Neighbors said police snipers were posted on nearby rooftops and anti-terror forces were at the scene.

Hague Chief Prosecutor Han Moraal said the raid was part of a "continuing investigation into terrorism," but would not confirm if it was related to the Nov. 2 killing of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by an alleged Islamic radical.

Suspects were still inside the building, Police Chief Gerard Bouwman said at a news conference. He also confirmed that police had exchanged gunfire with them.

 

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=241450&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312