A group of gunmen on Thursday shot and injured a police officer in the Jamaican capital of Kingston, police said.

The officer was driving his private vehicle when a gold-color Toyota Corolla blocked his way and the occupants opened fire, police said.

He managed to exit his vehicle and returned fire, but was attacked by gunmen in another vehicle traveling behind him.

The officer has been sent to hospital and is in "serious but stable" condition, police said.

The Police High Command released a statement to condemn the attack.

It acknowledged the high threat level against police officers and asked individual police officers to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.

Source: XINHUA