Seven persons were arrested and one person killed during a shootout between Police Special Task Force (STF) and underworld gang members in Divulapitiya this afternoon.

According to Police the shootout occurred as Police STF were conducting a search operation on Doonagaha Ballapana Road in Henegedara, Divulapitiya.

The search operation was conducted on Doonagaha Ballapana Road in Henegedara, Divulapitiya based on a tip-off received to Police.

The underworld gang members had shot at the Police and in the retaliatory fire Police killed on gang member.

Seven others were rounded up in the aftermath of the shooting, while police also took to weapons and hand grenade into custody.