QUETTA: Four suspected militants were killed in a gun battle with security forces in the Gishkor area of Awaran district late on Sunday night, of ficial sources said.

The shootout erupted af ter a convoy of the security forces was ambushed near Mashkay.`A heavy exchange of fire continued for two hours, resulting in the killing of four militants,` a senior security of ficial said.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from the militants` possession.

`The deceased belonged to a banned militant outfit, he said, adding that a search operation was continuing in the area.