Six killed in India as guru digs in

At least six people have died in a standoff between police and an Indian religious leader who is believed to be holed up inside his sprawling ashram along with thousands of devotees — some of whom are said to be armed.

The guru, 63-year-old Sant Rampal, is wanted for questioning in a 2006 murder case, but has repeatedly ignored orders to appear in court.

Riot police tried to storm the ashram compound in Haryana state on Tuesday, but Rampal’s followers, some of them using guns, rocks and batons, fought them off, authorities said.