CAPE TOWN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- A multi-disciplinary team tasked to investigate the murders of five police officers and an off-duty soldier made a major breakthrough after they fatally shot dead seven suspects, police announced on Saturday.

More than 10 other suspects were arrested while others managed to escape, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

One police officer was wounded in the leg during the shootout with the suspects, and he is recuperating in hospital, according to the SAPS.

The task team which comprised agents from various law enforcement agencies stormed a church where the suspects were hiding at Ngcobo, Eastern Cape Province Friday evening, the SAPS said.

The suspects were cornered inside the church premises and a gun battle between suspects and police ensued, leaving seven suspects dead and a police officer wounded, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.

An unknown number of suspects managed to escape and are currently being sought by the police, said Mulaudzi.

A number of firearms have been confiscated, he said.

The suspects were responsible for an attack on a police station in Ngcobo on Wednesday which left five police officers and an off-duty soldier killed in what was believed to be the worst attack on South African police in years.

The attack raised concern over growing risk to police officers amid rampant crimes.

According to official statistics, 57 police officers were killed in 2016/17.