Bujumbura, Oct 10 (IANS): At least nine people including seven bandits, a policeman and a bank client were killed when eight bandits attacked a bank at Buyenzi neighbourhood in the Burundian capital Bujumbura, police sources said on Friday.

"The robbery targeted the BCB bank, Buyenzi branch, around 03.00 a.m. The armed bandits aboard a truck first killed a policeman guarding the bank and took away his gun, killed a bank client and then took two bags of money before driving away their truck while shooting," said Burundian Police Deputy-Spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye, Xinhua reported.

According to him, police agents were alerted and blocked the way to the bandits' truck at a roundabout in the city centre.

"During clashes with policemen, seven bandits were killed whereas two policemen and a bandit were injured. Four cars were also damaged by stray bullets during the exchange of gunfire," said Nkurikiye.

He added that all the money that the bandits had stolen was recovered and returned to the bank.

Nkurikiye indicated that five guns including three of the Kalashnikov type and three pistols were seized from the thieves.

He added that investigations have started to know the identity of the armed bandits and their networks.