KARACHI: Five suspected militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group were killed in an 'encounter' in Karachi on Saturday, police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rao Anwar said the 'militants' were killed during an exchange with police at a graveyard in Machar Colony area of Sohrab Goth.

"The militants had set up a hideout in the graveyard and on police's arrival, they opened fire," claimed Rao Anwar.

In the encounter that ensued, five attackers were killed, he said.

Two of the attackers were identified as Naeem and Hafeezullah, while identities of the other have not asceratined so far, the police official added.

Police also claimed to have recovered 2.5 kilograms of explosive material and other arms and ammunition from the hideout.

Earlier today, police claimed to have detained four men, also allegedly affiliated with the TTP, from Karachi's posh Defence Housing Authority Phase 1 neighbourhood.

Karachi-South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dr Jamil Ahmed said a shopping bag containing ball bearings, suicide jackets and 4 kilograms of explosive material was recovered from the arrested men.