Constable 18043 Nandkumar Mohabir, of Enmore, East Coast Demerara, was the fourth Policeman shot dead in attacks so far this year.

Police said gunmen opened fire on the patrol at about 18:25 hrs at Public Road and Brushe Dam, Buxton.

The patrol was going east on Public Road when the vehicle came under fire, a Police press release said.

It added that Mohabir, 25, who was the driver, was fatally shot.

Constable 18755 Surujballi, 24, attached to the Vigilance Police Station, also on the East Coast Demerara, who was a member of the patrol, received injuries when he attempted to escape the murderous gunfire, Police said.

The release said he was receiving medical attention.

Mohabir, also known as Ricky, was rushed to the St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital in Georgetown where he died shortly afterwards.

His death came as the Police and Army yesterday stepped up heavy joint patrols in Buxton and other parts of the East Coast.

Soldiers and Police manned roadblocks at several points along the East Coast highway and there were long queues of vehicles up to late last night.

Buxton residents said there was a heavy exchange of gunfire late into the night but at press time the shooting had stopped.

Police and the Army, however, maintained a heavy presence in the area.

The death of Mohabir is the latest in a series of brutal killings of members of the Police Force, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Prison Service since last April 20, following the daring and infamous February 23 escape by five dangerous criminals from the Georgetown Prison.

For last year since the jailbreak, the number of law enforcement officers killed was 13.

Mohabir was single and lived at 33 `B' Enmore Pasture.

His parents Rajendra, also known as Gap, and Chitreka Mohabir, reside in Canada.

Nandkumar was the last of four children.

Among those left to mourn are his two sisters Indi and Nado and a brother Rishi.

JANUARY 9, 2003