Brazzaville, Dec 17 (IANS): At least 18 people were killed in a raid on bandits here, the capital of the Republic of Congo, according to police.

Police launched the attack Monday on a group of bandits taking refuge in the residence of Marcel Ntsourou, ex-deputy secretary general of the National Security Council, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

Police said the incident occurred one day after officers on patrol were targeted by the bandits.

"On Dec 15, a police patrol team was attacked in Brazzaville's Plateaux district. After the launch of investigations, it was discovered that some of the vehicles involved in the attack were in Ntsourou's compound and the public prosecutor gave authorisation for the search of Ntsourou's home," police said.

"When the officers investigating the matter attempted to enter his home, they were met with heavy gunshots from armed individuals within Ntsourou's house, and they were forced to retaliate," police added.

Col. Ntsourou, an officer of the Congolese Armed Forces, served as deputy secretary general of the National Security Council between 2005 and 2012.

He was sentenced to five years in prison in August for his involvement in the explosion at an arms warehouse in Brazzaville March 4, 2012. The explosion left 300 people dead and property destroyed.