The wounded gunman and a suspected accomplice were arrested after the incident, Captain Jo Bowlt said.

The incident came as British troops on foot patrol in the centre of Basra were also forced to take cover after a number of shots were fired near them.

Lieutenant Nick Ferrier of the Irish Guards said around four or five shots were fired at around 1100 GMT although it was not clear if the British soldiers were the target.

"We don't know if it's just an act of defiance or aimed at us," said Ferrier. "It's impossible to pinpoint where it's from."

Some troops could be seen ducking on street corners and behind electricity pylons, firing off cover shots for their colleagues who ran down side streets in the direction of the gunfire.

After failing to find the source of the shooting, the troops resumed their patrol.

British forces took control of Basra nearly two weeks ago and the sound of gunfire can still occasionally be heard in the southern city, but rarely during daylight hours.

SPACE.WIRE