S.Africa: 5 policemen, soldier die in attack on station

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Five police officers and a soldier were killed overnight when armed assailants attacked the Ngcobo police station in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.

"The attack happened shortly after midnight," police spokesman Brig. Vishnu Naidoo told Anadolu Agency by telephone on Wednesday.

Seven police officers survived the attack, including two who were injured, he said, adding 10 firearms were stolen by the attackers, whom the police were now seeking.

"The five police officers were on duty during the attack, while the solider was off duty and on a nearby street," he said.

Police said the robbers fled with a police vehicle which they later abandoned. They also robbed an ATM machine in the small town before fleeing.

The motive of the attack is still unclear, but police said they would establish a joint task team to track down the killers.