A young policeman is fighting for his life after being shot in the head on Wednesday night during a raid on a unit in Sydney's southwest.
Police had gone to the unit in Cairds Avenue, Bankstown, about 9pm (AEST) in order to execute a search warrant for drugs when a number of shots were fired, one of which hit the 26-year-old police officer.
A siege occurred and police negotiators were called in.
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They managed to resolve the standoff after about two hours and eight people were taken into police custody.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, police Region Commander Frank Mennilli said the officer's colleagues rendered first aid at the scene before he was taken by ambulance to hospital.
"A critical investigation team has been established to investigate the incident and there are a number of people currently assisting police with inquiries," he told reporters near the crime scene.
"The siege is over and a number of people have been taken to the police station and are assisting with inquiries."
The policeman, believed to be from the Middle Eastern Crime Squad, is in critical condition in Liverpool Hospital.
A large number of police wearing bulletproof vests were patrolling the streets and told residents and onlookers to stay indoors.
Many local residents discussed the incident on social networking site Twitter, reporting sirens and helicopters being heard in their area.
Police said officers from surrounding commands had immediately responded to calls for assistance.
They were also supported by specialist units including the air wing, dog unit, rescue unit, tactical operations unit, public order and riot squad, negotiators, as well as the state crime command's homicide squad.
