Two Basque police officers shot dead

Two Basque police officers were shot dead today in the northern Spanish town of Beasain in an attack that bore the hallmarks …

Two Basque police officers were shot dead today in the northern Spanish town of Beasain in an attack that bore the hallmarks of the Basque separatist group ETA, officials said.

"Unfortunately two Ertzainas (Basque police officers) have died. It appears they were assassinated by a man and a woman in Beasain," said the Spanish central government representative in the Basque region, Mr Enrique Villa told state radio.

Mr Villar said they were directing traffic in the town of Beasain, just south of San Sebastian, when they were attacked at 7:15 p.m. (1815 GMT).

El Mundonewspaper, citing police sources, said the two assailants fired at least five pistol shots.