Three Chinese police officers have been killed and three wounded in a gunfight with a group of alleged drug traffickers in southwestern Yunnan Province, bordering Myanmar.

The clash occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday in the border area of Zhina Township, Yingjiang County, Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Dehong, a spokesman with the local police said.

The officers, from Dehong Prefecture and neighboring Baoshan City, were carrying out a joint operation to arrest more than 10 suspected drug traffickers, the spokesman said.

He could provide no further details on the operation or the alleged drug traffickers.

The wounded officers are being treated at a local hospital, he said.

The incident is currently under investigation and a news conference is scheduled for Wednesday, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2007)