BEIRUT: An inspector with General Security was killed when his patrol was fired upon in Chtaura, east Lebanon, security sources told The Daily Star Tuesday.

The patrol was passing near popular weapons store “Ramiah” when gunmen shot at the unit, the sources said.

Hours later, General Security released a statement identifying the man as Michel Maalouf.

"Around 5 p.m., a military vehicle belonging to the general directorate of General Security came under fire when it passed through the main road of Chtaura, which led to the martyrdom of third-tier Inspector Michel Maalouf and the wounding of two others," the statement said.

It added that the security agency under the supervision of the judiciary is investigating the incident.

Sources said that one of the shooters was wounded and transferred to a nearby hospital. The 25-year-old man, who is wanted for several crimes, will be questioned.

Preliminary investigation revealed that some of the shooters were from Al-Yahfouni family.

Meanwhile, several shots were fired in the direction of an officer with the judicial police while he was driving in the neighborhood of Jalalah near Chtaura. Another car was driving behind Basel Nasr and sources could not say whether the officer was the target.