Two RCMP officers suffering from gunshot wounds were airlifted to hospital Tuesday, a civilian was injured and another has died after shots rang out Tuesday afternoon on a rural property in central Alberta Tuesday afternoon.

RCMP said in a press conference Tuesday evening that at about 2 p.m. Tuesday, two officers from the Killam RCMP detachment were executing a search warrant for a .45-calibre handgun at a rural residence located about 10 kilometres south-east of Killam, when there was an exchange of gunfire.

The officers were immediately rushed to hospital in Killam, from there they were flown by STARS Air Ambulance to hospital in Edmonton.

One of the officers was transported to the University of Alberta Hospital, while the other was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The condition of the RCMP officers is unknown at this time, but their injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.

It's not clear how the two civilians were involved in the confrontation.

RCMP officers have surrounded the area where the incident happened.

"Following the incident, RCMP personnel have contained the residence, and efforts are presently underway to ascertain whether or not other persons are still within the structure," Chief Superintendent Rick Taylor said Tuesday night, reading from a prepared statement.

Taylor said officers from five neighbouring detachments are helping local officers in the operation, with help from Emergency Response Teams from Edmonton and Red Deer, plus Air and K-Division units.

Officials with the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team are investigating the incident.

Officers said those in the surrounding community shouldn't be concerned.

The Mayor of Killam, Bud James spoke to CTV News shortly after news of the incident broke Tuesday afternoon.

"It's tragic," Mayor James said Tuesday. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers that have been injured."

The premier was also quick to offer words of support to the families affected by Tuesday's events.

"I'm glad there's no loss of life," Premier Redford said Tuesday. "But sometimes even these shootings can lead to pretty serious injuries, so our hopes and prayers are with their families."

The identities of the officers will not be released until their families have been notified.

With files from David Ewasuk