Congratulations to French Police and Gendarmerie. The raids were masterfully executed by GIGN and RAID.

Those bastards got what they deserved. I hope they rot in hell.

Was it the GIGN or GIPN? I thought one was a military organization and one a Police organization?

In France there is National Police and Gendarmerie. While Gendarmerie is a military unit (Military Police) it provides court security and policing on rural areas and highways (not sure about the latter). National Police patrols cities (that being said Gendarmerie also has presence in cities). Both have special units - Gendarmerie has GIGN (Intervention Group of National Gendarmerie), while the National Police has RAID (Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence) which is a national level spec Ops unit and GIPN (Intervention Groups of National Police) which are smaller units scattered around France. The Paris Police also has BRI, which is a small unit. The raid in Dammartin was lead by GIGN with support from a local GIPN unit, while the raid in Paris was conducted by RAID and BRI.

Congratulations to French Police and Gendarmerie. The raids were masterfully executed by GIGN and RAID.

Those bastards got what they deserved. I hope they rot in hell.

 

Looked that way at first, perhaps not now though, reports that four hostages died in Paris and possibly one suspect still on the run?

In France there is National Police and Gendarmerie. While Gendarmerie is a military unit (Military Police) it provides court security and policing on rural areas and highways (not sure about the latter). National Police patrols cities (that being said Gendarmerie also has presence in cities). Both have special units - Gendarmerie has GIGN (Intervention Group of National Gendarmerie), while the National Police has RAID (Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence) which is a national level spec Ops unit and GIPN (Intervention Groups of National Police) which are smaller units scattered around France. The Paris Police also has BRI, which is a small unit. The raid in Dammartin was lead by GIGN with support from a local GIPN unit, while the raid in Paris was conducted by RAID and BRI.

 

That's correct, although the RAID's geographic competence primarily includes the capital city and its surrounding area, it can be sent anywhere in the country to support other units.

The four hostages were killed when the gunman entered the store, and not during the police assault.

May the rest in peace.

The fourth suspect is apparently a woman that fled the scene (the Paris store) before the assault.

In my opinion, the police and Gendarmerie executed the assaults masterfully - during them, no one other than terrorists has died. I hope that woman is caught quickly and brought to justice.

The four hostages were killed when the gunman entered the store, and not during the police assault.

 

They had indeed been killed before the assault had even begun.

 

Please also note that according to reports, the gunman had two assault rifles as well as two pistols, which might had been left by his accomplice when she (he?) fled the scene.

Couldn't say it better...

 

If anybody hasn't seen this video of the final hostage raid in France, I recommend watching it. Please take into consideration, the video depicts graphic content including death.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKziiM_lEqY

 

If I could insert my considerations here, I'd like to point out that within the past year, we've experience an increasing amount of Urban shootings on multiple continents. Canada's Shooting of a Soldier at the Memorial, Sydney Australia's Cafe Siege, and two events in France (Related), a shooting of a Journalism Office and another shooting at a Cafe are prime contenders. 

 

All of these attacks have been executed by Muslim Extremists. The horrific loss of innocent life is tragic, but there is a Silver Lining, which the post above mine highlights. These extremists want to target the Western, Modern World and act as Martyrs, and be completely glorious even if killed. What's so wonderful, is how the modern world comes together to protest these sort of sick, preying on the innocent attacks. The terrorists want to make a point to the Modern World, but instead the Modern World makes a strong, undeniable point to them of how the Modern World will not bow down to terrorism and extremist demands.