Port Elizabeth police have arrested three suspects for attempted murder, possession of explosives, possession of prohibited firearms, illegal possession of ammunition and the possession of a suspected hijacked vehicle.
Spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu says members of the Motherwell Crime Prevention Unit came under attack in the early hours of Tuesday morning, while they were patrolling the area.
She says they noticed two suspicious men, and when they approached them, the suspects started shooting and the police returned fire.
Naidu says the men dropped a black bag and fled the scene.
It contained four improvised explosive devices, and a 9mm pistol was also found on the scene.
Naidu says backup arrived, and three suspects, aged between 31 and 49 were later arrested.
She says police confiscated another pistol, a fifth explosive device and an R5 army rifle.
Col Naidu says a hijacked VW Jetta with false number plates was also found in Qutsa Street and was towed to SAPS Mount Road for further investigation.
She says the vehicle was hijacked during a business robbery in Bethelsdorp last week.
The suspects will appear in the Motherwell magistrate's court on Thursday.
