Police officers killed in ambush shooting south of Albury

TWO police officers have been shot dead and a third wounded on a rural property south of Albury.

The officers reportedly came under fire while serving a warrant at an address on Rayner Track, in the north-east Victorian town of Porepunkah on Tuesday morning.

It is understood the officers were searching an abandoned bus on the property, about 100km south of the NSW border, when they were shot at by a man.

Arial view of Porepunkah | Photo: Google Maps

At least two officers are said to have been killed in the gunfire, while a third was reportedly struck in the leg and critically wounded.

The suspect, who is known to police and believed to be armed with at least one of the officer’s firearms, is now reportedly holding his wife and at least two children hostage in the bush near his home.

Heavy gunfire has prevented police from entering the property, with a siege situation now unfolding as they wait for Special Operations officers to arrive on the scene.

Porepunkah Primary School was placed into lockdown at 11:30am, with residents in the town of about 1,000 people urged to lock their cars and remain indoors.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been briefed and addressed the media, saying there is “grave concern for some of the police officers who are involved.”

This is a developing news story. More updates will be provided as information becomes available.