The dead Policemen are Ramphal Pardat, also called Clifton, 52, of Lot 106 Ghanpat Street, Rose Hall Town and Outar Kisson, 46, of Number 52 Village, also on the Corentyne.

The Essequibo resident, Balram Khandai, 18, was an observer at the People's Progressive Party (PPP) 27th Congress which ended Sunday at Port Mourant. He was killed when the bandits opened fire on the open back vehicle in which he was heading back home.

Businessman Mohammed Shamsudeen Afiz, who was robbed during the attack, reopened his dry goods store for business yesterday. Nodding, he calmly stated all was well.

Residents of the township yesterday converged at street corners discussing the events surrounding the attack.

Many supported the statement of the PPP that the attack was politically motivated.

A resident said he believed the rampage was a threat to the President.

"These attacks were well organised and it was a threat to President Jagdeo, to awaken him, to let him know how close 'the enemy' was in his stronghold", he said.

"If the task is too difficult for the Police and the Army, then those in authority should seek assistance from foreign agencies...Scotland Yard. These incidents (referring to the slaying of defenceless Policemen) are occurring too often.

"Do we have to wait until another police die or until the entire force is extinct? It is urgent, we need international help," the businessman said.

The Police outpost yesterday remained unoccupied, but bloodstains were still on the floor, a grim reminder of the attack on the Police.

The trail of bloodstains led from the desk where it is presumed Constable Pardat was positioned before he met his demise. The trail of blood led to the outpost gate.

An untouched `egg ball' (cooked cassava stuffed with a boiled egg) was on a dusty shelf, while a pair of black boots remained under a previously occupied table.

Pardat's bullet-riddled body was found on a dam leading to the Atlantic Ocean coast where Police said the bandits escaped by boat.

Constables Pardatt and Ramesh Chetram were on the duty at the Rose Hall Police outpost when a gang of six men attacked them just after midnight, witnesses said.

According to a senior officer attached to the New Amsterdam Police Station, at around midnight, he and other Policemen had just escorted President Jagdeo, who had been attending the PPP Congress, to the Albion Estate senior staff compound when they responded to a call that the Chinese restaurant a fence away from the Police outpost was being robbed.

He said that as soon as they arrived on the scene, a hail of gunfire from two directions greeted them.

Constable Kissoon, who was attached to the Whim Police station, was fatally shot in the head during the crossfire. He was at the back of a Police patrol vehicle along with Lance Corporal Williams, who was shot in a leg.

The men then proceeded to the NBIC bank where two security guards were robbed at gunpoint of two revolvers, 12 rounds of ammunition and a communications set.

Later, a security guard at the Laparkan store, also at Rose Hall, was shot in the head and is hospitalised, Police reported.

After these attacks, the gunmen then apparently forced Constable Pardat to lead them to the koker at the head of the dam in the area that leads to the Atlantic Ocean.

The town of Rose Hall was transformed into a war zone following the invasion of the bandits from the Atlantic Ocean after midnight Sunday.

Evidence of damage from the blistering gunfire was visible on signs and `lantern' posts in the town and the adjoining village of Port Mourant.

Residents there were also awakened by the loud sound of the rapid gunfire.

The owner of a popular business said she saw 12 men walking three abreast with guns upraised as they fired rapidly in the area.

She said that at first glance she thought it was the Police, but on a closer look realised that the men were bandits armed with sophisticated weapons.

"For a moment I thought I was in an eastern country...a war zone...I could not believe I was in Guyana", she recalled.

The businesswoman wondered how the bandits here could get such high-powered weapons while the Police had to contend with smaller calibre guns.

Many residents said they were fearful for their lives as the gunshots were fired rapidly across the town.

No one ventured outdoors, but remained in their homes, wondering what was happening and who was next.

On Monday, an Army helicopter landed in the compound of the Rose Hall Community Centre and there was relief on the faces of the residents who rushed to the scene, hoping someone had brought an answer to their many questions.

But it was reported that the Army group headed by Major Sydney James was there to assist in the investigations.

Sheik and Hema Hussain who were badly beaten and robbed by bandits at their home at Lot 72 & B Rose Hall Town, yesterday remained in stable condition at the Port Mourant Hospital.

Although their home was heavily grilled the bandits used a chainsaw to cut their way in from the verandah.