SWABI: Two suspected militants were killed and a policeman was injured during an encounter in Kalabat area here on Saturday, police claimed.

`During an intelligence-based raid in Kalabat region, militants opened fire on the police, prompting retaliatory fire from the police which lasted for around two hours,` district police officer Javid Iqbal told reporters.

During the shootout, two suspected militants were killed and a policeman suffered injuries.

The bodies were later shifted to Civil Hospital, Topi, where they were identified as Bilal alias Mudassir and Hussain alias Kashif, he added.

The police recovered three hand grenades, two Kalashnikovs, two pistols and 159 rounds from their possession. The killed terrorists were wanted to Islamabad, Mardan and Swabi police in various acts of terrorism, the DPO said. The police have increased targeted operations and snap checking in different parts of the district to track down terrorists, Mr Iqbal said.-Correspondent