An elite French gendarme was shot dead in France's overseas territory of French Guiana in South America while taking part in an operation against illegal gold mining, reports FRANCE 24.
The member of the gendarmerie's GIGN, its elite tactical unit, was killed during the operation in Dorlin in the centre of the French territory, said a source close to the matter, asking not to be named.
The Actu17 website, which first reported the incident, said it took place overnight Friday to Saturday.
The French presidency in a statement confirmed the officer, named as Arnaud Blanc, had been killed and said President Emmanuel Macron "hailed his courage" and presented condolences to his partner and two children.
It said that the operation had been conducted jointly with French armed forces deployed in the territory.
Macron had asked the responsible government ministries to continue the fight against the "scourge" of illegal gold mining in Guiana, it added.