A gunman was reported to have fired six shots at the prison guardhouse here and another four at the watchtower at 10.45pm, last night.

Prison warden Mohd Fitri Abdul Zaman, 31, said he was on duty alone at the guardhouse when he realised the presence of two men on a motorcycle about 10-metres away.

"At the time I was seated inside and saw one of the men get down from the motorcycle and fire six shots at the guardhouse. The suspect then fired four shots at the watchtower," he told Bernama here today.

He was not hit by any of the shots as he had immediately got down and lie flat on the floor; the two guards at the watchtower were also not hit.

"The two suspects then left and I immediately contacted the prison officer who then informed the police," said Mohd Fitri.

Meanwhile, Kedah Criminal Investigation Department chief, SAC Mohd Nashir Ya said police received a report on the incident at 11.02pm.

"The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code, for murder attempt," he said.