French security officials say contact has been established with suspects in the Paris shootings.
Police have surrounded a commercial building in the small town of Dammartin-en-Goele, to the north of the capital.
Said and Cherif Kouachi are believed to be inside with a hostage.
The men have reportedly said they are willing to martyr themselves.
The hostage operation comes two days after 12 people were shot dead at a satirical magazine in Paris.
Nicolas Serte runs a shop in the town of Dammartin-en-Goele.
IN: "The police….
OUT: ...helicopter."
DUR: 19 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0109paris-serte1.mp3
(MORE)
Former Scotland Yard firearms tactical adviser Roger Gray says the siege is the beginning of the end for the accused gunmen.
IN: “They’ll keep stoking it….”
OUT: “…
DUR: 15 seconds