A seventh soldier escaped unhurt.
The soldiers, who were said to be in full army regalia and armed with AK47 service rifles, stormed the small conservancy, east of Chiredzi town, on Saturday morning where they intended to kill rhinoceros for their horns.
But their gunfire attracted the attention of a joint police and parks team, deployed after poachers destined for Mozambique became a menace.
He said they could not identify the deceased as they did not carry any form of identification with them. Only the marked rifles identified their barracks.
The Environment and Natural Resources Management public relations director, Caroline Washsya-Moyo, confirmed poachers had been shot.?
Last year, more than 100 rhinos were killed by poachers.
9.6.2009
17:06
Six poachers shot dead
CHIREDZI Six Zimbabwe National Army soldiers based at 4.2 and 4.1 Infantry Battalion were shot dead over the weekend while poaching attempt at Maware Ranch, Parks and Wildlife Authority officials have confirmed.