A Hong Kong policeman shot dead a 47-year-old man after the officer was stabbed repeatedly by the latter Thursday during an anti-burglary operation, police said.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning in Tin Shui Wai and the identity of the man who died in the case had been confirmed, police said.

The man, aged 47, was intercepted by police officers of Task Force Sub-unit of Tin Shui Wai Division on Shek Po Road shortly after 5:10 AM. And a police officer was reportedly chopped during a struggle with the man and he subsequently fired two shots, according to police.

Both the police officer and the man were rushed to Tuen Mun Hospital for medical treatment. The man was certified dead at 5:58 AM.

A post mortem will be conducted Friday to ascertain the cause of the man's death, said police, adding that Investigations by Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North are proceeding.

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2007)