KHARTOUM - The Sudanese police said Friday that 13 of its members were killed and about 30 others injured in an attack launched by armed bandits in Sudan's Darfur region.

"Armed bandits attacked a police patrol in eastern Jabel Marra in South Darfur State," Spokesman of the Sudanese Police Forces Ahmed Al-Tuhami told Xinhua.

"13 policemen and about 30 others were injured," he confirmed, adding "the police forces are currently leading wide combing operations in search of the perpetrators."

Meanwhile, reports said the policemen were killed or injured as they attempted to rescue a group of hostages in eastern Jabel Marra.

The Darfur region has been witnessing volatile security conditions since 2003, as armed bandits and groups move on wide areas in the region.

Repeated kidnapping and armed robbery incidents took place in Darfur, targeting mostly humanitarian organizations and aid workers.