Heavy and light gunfire have been reported in Bukavu town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The army and the attackers fought from Wednesday 01:00 to 04:00 local time.

Gun fights were still heard in some parts of the town as of 08:00 local time, a local source told BBC Great Lakes.

However, South Kivu provincial governor, Theo Kasi Ngwabidje, said that security forces had restored calm and asked the public to resume normal activities.

Locals are however saying that the army is asking people to stay home.

The attackers targeted military and police establishments in Bukavu with a plan to loot arms, UN sponsored Radio Okapi reported.