Two suspected jihadists were killed and another seriously wounded in the incident near Kebili, 480 kilometres south of Tunis, in what the ministry described as a "terrorist attack".
The ambush by motorcycle-mounted gunmen occurred early today on a police checkpoint, it said, adding that a fourth attacker fled the scene.
"Homemade explosives" were found on the motorbikes, the ministry added.
Since its 2011 revolution, Tunisia has experienced an increase in jihadist attacks that have cost the lives of dozens of members of the security forces and also 59 foreign tourists.
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