7 militants killed in clash with police in east Pakistan

At least seven militants were killed and five others fled during an armed encounter with police in Pakistan's east Punjab province early Wednesday morning, local media reported.

Geo News said police got a tip-off about the entering of 12 suspected militants in the Sheikhupura district of Punjab.

The policemen launched the operation and caught the militants when they were about to enter the Sharaqpur area at a main highway, engaging them into a gun battle.

Police said that seven militants were on a vehicle and five others were riding motorbikes when the shootout took place.

All the seven militants on the car were gunned down by the police while the insurgents on the motorbike managed to flee the scene.

Police launched a search operation in the area, following the encounter to arrest the on-the-run militants.

Police said the killed militants belonged to outlawed group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and were plotting a terrorist attack in the Punjab province.

Arms and ammunition were seized from the vehicle of the killed militants.