Two people suspected to be working with terror groups were shot dead and one critically injured in Rwanda’s southwestern district of Rusizi on Friday morning, bringing to three the number of terror suspects killed this past week.

On Wednesday, police shot and killed a suspected terror agent, Channy Mbonigaba, in Kigali’s posh suburb of Nyarutarama. He had barricaded himself in a house.

“In the incident, which lasted about three hours on Wednesday night, the suspect exchanged fire with the police, injuring one officer,” a police statement said.

READ: Rwanda police kill terror suspect in shootout

Rusizi district police spokesperson Sano Nkeramugaba, confirmed the development.

But acting Rwanda National Police spokesperson Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi told The EastAfrican that they were still gathering information on the incident.

Mr Nkeramugaba told local media that in the Friday morning incident, Police engaged six suspects who were part of the group that was radicalising youth in Bugarama, a predominantly Muslim- inhabited part of the district.

“They were six in total — five men and one woman who had moved to Bugarama to give radical Islamic teachings to the youth. They tried to resist arrest and escape and in the process two were shot dead, one injured and two were arrested,” he said.

Police say that those who were arrested and the injured confessed to being agents of Al Shabaab.

Local government officials on Friday morning convened a meeting for the residents of Rusizi district to discuss growing concerns over radicalisation.

It is suspected that the militants were part of a large group, mainly Muslim youths, who police says are engaged in acts of radicalism.

“Since last year, Rwanda National Police has been investigating individuals suspected of being linked to foreign terrorist organisations. Several have appeared in court,” a police statement said.

The police operation to uncover religious extremism also targets Rubavu district, another district with a larger Muslim population.

READ: Kigali moves to nip radicalisation and terrorist recruitment in the bud

The shooting of Mbonigaba follows the January shooting of Muhammad Mugemangango, a deputy imam of Kimironko Mosque, who police said was attempting to flee after he had been arrested on suspicion of terrorism.

Mr Mugemangango was accused of radicalising Muslim youth and recruiting them to join terror groups, including the Islamic State and Al Shabaab.

READ: Rwandan police kill terror suspect during flee attempt

Following the incident, dozens of people linked to the cleric were arrested and charged with terrorism. The trial is still on going.

The spokesperson of the National Police Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), Faustin Nkusi, told The EastAfrican that the state is still gathering evidence on terror suspects.

“We are still working on their files, putting together all the evidence. Once we are done compiling the files, the case will resume,” Mr Nkusi said on Friday.