The two terrorists who killed 12 persons at the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris are dead

The two Charlie Hebdo gunmen who killed 12 persons including 2 policemen at a cartoon newspaper office have been killed by the French Special Forces at Dammartin-en-Goele in France.  The hostage who was held at gunpoint by the gunmen is said to be safe.  More story after the cut...

The two gunmen were holed up in a printing company in a town of Dammartin-en-Goele, northeast of Paris, taking a male employee hostage.

Reports states that at 4.30pm gunfire and explosions were heard at the hostage siege after police surrounded the gunmen at an industrial estate 25 miles from Paris.  Later three helicopters arrived and landed at the roof top of the building. And at 4.45pm the siege reached a climax when the two brothers reportedly came out firing after a nine-hour stand off..  They had earlier told the police that they were ready to die as martyrs. And they were shot by the police.