(Image source from: Terror attack on French factory)

An Islamist attacker has pinned a decapitated head covered with Arabic writing into the gates of a gas factory in eastern France before being arrested, police said. French media said, after two assailants rammed a car into the premises. France has opened a terrorism investigation after the attack. "It is indeed a terrorist attack," said French President Francois Hollande in a statement. Local newspaper Le Dauphine said the head is covered in Arabic writing.

"According to the initial findings of the enquiry, one or several individuals on board a vehicle, drove into the factory. An explosion, then took place," said one of the sources. "The decapitated body of a person was found nearby the factory, but we do not yet know whether the body was transported to the place or not," added the source, "a flag with Arabic writing on it was found at the scene."

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said he would go "immediately" to the scene.

The attack, occurred at round 10:00 am local time (0800 GMT), according to local media. This came after nearly six months after the Islamist attacks in and around Paris that killed 17 people in January that started with a shooting at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

By Premji