He said he regretted the loss of life as security forces battled fighters loyal to a suspected drug trafficker sought by the US.

Mr Golding said police would continue searching for illegal guns and crime suspects.

The whereabouts of alleged drug lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke are unknown.

He has thousands of loyal followers who have promised to protect him at any cost.

Police say they have detained more than 200 people and seized arms and ammunition in operation involving thousands of police and soldiers, heavuily armed and backed by armoured cars and helicopters.

New gun battles raged on Tuesday as police and soldiers searched Kingston's Tivoli Gardens district for Mr Coke.

The fighting has intermittently blocked the road to Kingston's airport and forced some flights to be cancelled.

Western countries such as the US and Britain have warned their citizens against travel to Kingston and its surrounding area in the current circumstances.