ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – A man was shot dead and a firearm seized during an police operation in Grateful Hill in Glengoffe, St Catherine Thursday morning.

Up to press time the man was still unidentified.

Reports reaching Observer Online indicate that around 7:50 am, several officers from the St Catherine North Division went to the community to conduct an operation.

The police team observed two men in a yard from the targeted location. The team disembarked from the vehicle and on the approach of the lawmen the men ran off towards the back of the premises.

The police gave chase and while passing an opened door at the side of the premises one of the men was seen inside with a firearm in his hand.

The man opened gunfire at the police who returned the fire in his direction and he fell to the ground clutching a firearm which was found to be .38 Revolver with five live rounds.

A search was conducted of the premises but the other man was not seen. The injured man was rushed to the Linstead Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Independent Commission of Investigation is probing the incident.