At least three suspected terrorists were killed late Wednesday night in an alleged police encounter, while two managed to escape.

According to a police spokesman, policemen were taking two men Muhammad Hanif and Raja Iftikhar Ahmad accused of orchestrating attacks on Ahmadiyya Mosques, to recover hidden arms, when four to five armed men opened fire at the police party on Indus Highway near Taunsa Bypass.

They said the van’s tyres were damaged and the driver was forced to park on the roadside. He said the men freed Hanif and Ahmed and fled.

They said reinforcements were called and pickets were set up to capture them.

They said the men were cornered near Gajoji Pul where left their motorbikes and tried to flee on foot.

Police said Hanif, Ahmed and an unidentified man were accidentally shot dead by their own accomplices, who later fled.

Police said Hanif and Ahmed had been arrested after a pistol and three bullets used to kill one Ayaz Ahmad and an official M-5 rifle stolen from Constable Irshad Hussain had been found in their possession. These weapons were recovered Hanif’s house in a raid.

The slain accused were members of ASWJ (Ahle Sunnat wal Jammat), the spokesman added.