"We confirm there has been a coup attempt against the leadership of the Amhara regional state," said Ethiopian Press Secretary Negussu Tilahun, added that the coup attempt in Bahir Dar, the regional capital, had failed.

The coup attempt, which staged Saturday at around 19.30, squashed after about 6 hours, according to officers. Reports say internet down in the country due to the coup attempt, access to wired and mobile internet has been closed.

Prime Ministry Office spokeswoman Billene Seyoum told journalists an armed squad led by Amhara's security chief Asaminew Tsige burst into a meeting on Saturday afternoon and shot regional president Ambachew Mekonnen and his adviser Ezez Wasie.

The men were gravely injured in the attack and later died of their wounds she said.

"Several hours later in what seems like a coordinated attack, the chief of the staff of the national security forces Seare Mekonnen was killed in his home by his bodyguard. Also shot dead was a retired general who had been visiting him", Billene added.

The bodyguard has been apprehended while Asaminew is still on the loose, sources said.

The chief of staff of the Ethiopian army, Gen Seare Mekonnen, has been shot dead in the capital, Addis Ababa, state media confirm while he and another officer died trying to prevent a coup attempt against the administration in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

Former police chief and some former detainees were alleged to have been involved in the coup attempt. (ILKHA)