Three suspected terrorists were killed in an "encounter" with police and security forces in Quetta's Essa Nagri area on Friday night, DawnNews reported.

Police officials said that armed terrorists opened fire on a police patrolling party in the area. In response, the policemen engaged the suspected terrorists, whereas, a heavy contingent of police and other law enforcement agencies immediately reached the spot.

After the encounter, the three suspected terrorists were found killed, said police officials. Their bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta.

The encounter was reported hours after four policemen were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Quetta's Killi Deba area.

The gunmen opened indiscriminate fire at the police mobile while it was patrolling the area, Deputy Inspector General of Police Abdul Razzak Cheema had said.

Superintendent of Police Quaidabad Mubarak Shah was among the four martyred police personnel in what police said was an act of targeted killing.