ISLAMABAD, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Three terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in a police shootout during a counter-terrorism raid in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Monday, officials said.
The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) launched the operation, following intelligence reports about the presence of militants hiding in a residential building in the locality, Deputy Superintendent of Police Raja Umar Khattab told the media.
"As the police team cordoned off the hideout, the terrorists opened fire, triggering a gun battle that resulted in the deaths of all three of them," he added.
He said one of the deceased was carrying a bounty of 20 million Pakistani rupees (about 71,500 U.S. dollars) on his head, while another was a suicide bomber suspected of involvement in last year's attack in Karachi.
Authorities recovered suicide vests, explosives, hand grenades, and a diary listing potential targets from the premises where the slain terrorists were hiding.
A bomb disposal squad later cleared the area, according to the official.
The police have launched an investigation into the ownership of the house and the duration of the suspects' stay at the location. ■
