A Spanish Civil Guard policeman has been shot dead and another wounded after stopping two suspected Basque separatist guerrillas whose car was packed with explosives bound for Madrid.
One of the assailants was arrested after being wounded in a shootout with police at the scene just northwest of the Spanish capital. He was reported to be in a serious condition.
The other escaped by stealing a car at gunpoint; triggering a police manhunt that resulted in his arrest in the Basque city of San Sebastian late last night.
The Civil Guard officers stopped the car at a checkpoint, suspicious about a false number plates on what turned out to be a car stolen in France.
The dead officer, Mr Antonio Molina, 27 was shot twice at point-blank range. His partner, Mr Juan Aguilar, was shot in the arm and was said to be recovering today.
Prime Minister Mr Jose Maria Aznar said the Civil Guards had prevented "a major attack in Madrid". "All of our strength, all of the determination of the rule of law in our democracy will come down on the terrorists, and not a single one of them will escape," he said.