At least fifty people killed and around 53 wounded in a mass shooting inside an Orlando nightclub. An American-born Omar Mateen, 29 who'd pledged allegiance to ISIS started firing about 2am local time in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.

"It appears he was organized and well-prepared," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said.

Islamic State's Amaq news agency claimed the Islamist militant group was behind the attacks. "The armed attack that targeted a gay nightclub in the city of Orlando in the American state of Florida which left over 100 people dead or injured was carried out by an Islamic State fighter," Amaq said.

Clubgoer Andy Moss said that, "At first it sounded like it was part of the show because there was an event going on and we were all having a good time."  "But once people started screaming and shots just keep ringing out, you know that it's not a show anymore."

US President Barack Obama has described the gun attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, as "an act of terror and an act of hate".
Americans were united in "grief, outrage and resolve to defend our people", he said.

Mr Obama said the "brutal murder of dozens of innocent people" was a further reminder of how easy it was to acquire a deadly weapon in the US and shoot people. "We have to decide if that's the kind of country we want to be," said the president, who has campaigned for stricter gun laws. "To actively do nothing is a decision as well."

FBI Assistant Special Agent Ronald Hopper said that, "Those interviews turned out to be inconclusive, so there was nothing to keep the investigation going."

ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Trevor Velinor, said that, "He is not a prohibited person. They can legally walk into a gun dealership and acquire and purchase firearms. He did so. And he did so within the last week or so."

Also Read: 14 including SP, SHO killed in Mathura clashes, over 100 injured

Nandini