Two police officers were shot dead by unknown men in Durban's Inanda area, paramedics said on Saturday.

The two officers were believed to be on routine patrols in Mbombayi Informal settlement on Friday at 11.30pm when the attack took place, said spokesperson Derrick Banks.

"While speculation is rife, it is thought that four officers, two in each vehicle approached a group of men with the intention of searching them for weapons," he said.

"When the officers approached the group, several men ran into narrow walkways between the roadside shacks. The suspects opened fire on officers who had given chase."

Banks said one officer was shot in the head during the pursuit. His body was found lying face down in a pool of blood in the middle of the road.

"From the appearance of the man's body, there is an indication that the officer had fought with his attackers. Unfortunately due to the severity of the injury he had sustained, the man was declared dead at the scene," he said.

Banks said the body of a second officer, who sustained a single gunshot wound to the chest, was found nearby. However, two other officers survived the attack unscathed.

They were treated for shock and were transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care.

Sapa

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