NEW DELHI:

The bodies of four women were found inside an Indian guru's heavily fortified ashram after security forces tried to storm the sprawling complex and arrest the spiritual leader.

Sant Rampal, 63, is believed to be holed up inside the compound in Haryana state, protected by thousands of devotees, many armed. Six people died and nearly 200 were injured as riot police tried to force their way in. Mr Rampal is wanted by police for questioning in a 2006 murder case.