Manama: A third policeman died of wounds Wednesday after being run down by a car driven by a protester on Tuesday, the interior ministry said.
Two Bahraini policeman were killed earlier on Wednesday, a health official said, in an operation to clear protesters from a the Pearl Roundabout in Manama.
The policemen were all knocked down by protesters driving in cars at high speeds, the official said.
Bahrain's stock exchange suspended trading on Wednesday.
Bahrain University, all colleges and schools in the nation will remain closed until further notice, state television reported.
Hundreds of Bahraini riot police firing buckshot and tear gas canisters drove pro-democracy demonstrators out of Manama's Pearl Square early Wednesday.
Police arrived in tanks, troop transport vehicles and buses before moving in on the demonstrators, who have been camped out in the square for a month in their campaign for political reform. Thick clouds of smoke rose up over the square after several of the protesters' tents were set on fire.
Gulf News reports live from Manama's Pearl Roundabout
11am: Gunfire is abating - only occasional shots can be heard piercing the clatter of the gunships overhead and the palls of black smoke that rise from the area surrounding the roundabout.
For now, two hours after the riot police arrived at the Pearl Roundabout, gunfire still rings out.
I hide from the circling attack helicopters. Above, two circle, while 30 minutes ago, there were six.
I cannot get any closer than 400 metres to the roundabout.
9:30am: As I write this hiding under a truck parked at a fruit market close to Pearl Roundabout, six attack helicopters are circling, while around, multiple bursts of automatic gunfire ring out.
I am 400 metres from the roundabout which has become the focal point for anti-government protesters for the past month.
The occasional thud of heavy rounds can be heard, but - cannot get any closer to see what lies beneath the shroud of smoke covering the area.
I am too afraid to move from under this small truck which is my refuge from the violence surrounding me.
Armoured military carriers are everywhere, sweeping the streets.
Five armoured personnel carriers whiz by, their turret gunners traversing the area, seeking out threats and targets.
With inputs from agencies
