A police officer was among the two killed after getting involved in the exchange of fire with the officers. [Courtesy]

Two bandits, one of them a police officer, were shot dead in Habasswein, Wajir County on Tuesday, August 24, after being involved in a shootout with police officers on a joint patrol operation.

Police reports indicate that the officers were on patrol at around 10:30 pm when they came across heavily armed bandits who declined to surrender and instead opened fire.

“The incident left the two bandits dead as the officers suffered minor injuries as a result of the thorny bushes around the area,” part of the police report read.

Detectives processing the scene recovered four AK-47 rifles, 316 rounds of ammunition, 14 empty magazines of AK-47 rifle, three pouches, two KDF smoke jackets, a D-light solar panel and four mobile phones.

Detectives processing the scene recovered four firearms and over 300 pieces of ammunition. [Courtesy]

Police say one of the two deceased persons, a police officer, was identified as PC Yerrow Noor from the Dadaab division as the other one was yet to be identified.

The bodies have been moved to the morgue awaiting identification by their kin and autopsy.

Investigations into the incident are underway.