Security forces in Burundi have killed at least 14 armed men who planned to launch an attack in the country's northwestern province of Bubanza, police said.

Police deputy spokesman, Moise Nkurunziza, said on state broadcaster RTNB that the entered the country from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, but were killed in Musigati district.

He said the group had the "intention of repeating the carnage of Ruhagarika", referring to an attack that killed at least 26 people days before Burundi's constitutional referendum.

The motives behind Tuesday's planned attack were not immediately clear.

Reuters quotes an army source to say the group killed by Burundi's security forces were part of a larger group that entered the country from DR Congo.

Details about the group however remain scanty at the moment.

Burundi is scheduled to hold its presidential election in 2020, and even though security concerns persist, the government says all is well, and that the elections will be free and fair.

The country descended into violence prior to the last elections held in July 2015, as opponents of President Pierre Nkurunziza felt his bid for a third term were unconstitutional.

While the president has not confirmed his candidature for next year’s election, the new constitution allows him to seek a further mandate.