KARACHI: Two suspected militants were killed in a shootout with police in Manghopir area on Friday, officials said.

They said the area police raided a hideout in MPR Colony on reports about the presence of some militants and criminal elements. The raid led to an exchange of gunfire.

“Police cordoned off the area called MPR Colony,” said SSP Azfar Mahesar. “During search of houses and suspected hideouts, the police team came under a hand-grenade attack that hit our armoured vehicle, leaving a constable injured. The attack led to retaliation from police. After a brief encounter, we managed to arrest two militants with serious bullet wounds who were shifted to hospital but they could not survive.”

The identity of the deceased suspects could not be determined, he said, but added that police had enough reasons to believe that both of them were associated with a banned militant outfit.

“Apart from arms and ammunition, we have also recovered a motorbike from their hideout which has an [improvised explosive device] attached. We have called the bomb disposal unit for further examination,” added SSP Mahesar.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2016