Charlie Hebdo attack: Major operation launched to nab gunmen

A major operation has been launched to nab the gunman who killed at least 12 people at the Paris office of the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

Eight journalists and two policemen were among the dead. The police has released photographs of two suspects, describing them as "armed and dangerous," reported the BBC.

A third suspect has handed himself in to police, the report said.

President Francois Hollande termed the incident a "cowardly murder" and announced a day of national mourning on Thursday. Observing that the nation's tradition of free speech has been attacked, he called on the countrymen to stand as one. "Our best weapon is our unity," Hollande said on Wednesday.

While security has been beefed up across France, with Paris being placed on the highest alert, police has issued arrest warrants for Cherif Kouachi, 32, and his brother, Said, 34.

The satirical weekly has been mired in controversy in the past over its "irreverent take" on news and current affairs. It was firebombed in November 2011 after it carried a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad.

Yesterday's attack took place as the magazine was holding its weekly editorial meeting.

Three cartoonists, Cabu, Tignous and Wolinski, and a French economist, Bernard Maris have been killed in the attack.