A Tunisian official announced the death on Wednesday, saying the attackers shot the law enforcement officers with a rifle before speeding away on a powerful motorcycle.

The victim died en route to the hospital, while the other two were unharmed in the shooting.

Sahbi Jouini, a representative of the police union, told AP the constables were in Hay Zohour, a low-income neighborhood, waiting to be brought to the nearby town of Kairouan when they were attacked.

The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that a search is now underway for the culprits.

A gunman killed 38 tourists at a resort in the same city on June 26. The assailant was targeting foreigners in an attack that was later claimed by the Islamic State.

Tunisian law enforcement have been actively sweeping the country for terrorist cells in an effort to stamp out the terrorist threat against the step. Hundreds have been arrested in connection with extremist groups.

Tunisia's government blames Libya for the increase in terrorism, accusing their neighbor of being a safe haven for Islamist extremists targeting the country.

kb/jil (Reuters, AP)