Islamabad, May 26 (IANS): At least seven militants were killed in an operation conducted by paramilitary troops in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Tuesday.

Talking to media, Brig. Mohammad Khurram, the spokesperson of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers, said the forces conducted a search operation in Orangi Town of Karachi, acting on an intelligence tip-off.

During the operation, the militants opened fire and hurled hand grenades at the forces in which one soldier was injured, Xinhua news agency reported.

In retaliatory action by the Rangers, five militants were killed while two others committed suicide by exploding their suicide jackets.

Khurram said the dead militants belonged to the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and were planning a big terrorist attack in the city.

The spokesperson said that the forces recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the house of the militants, adding that the terrorists were preparing an explosives laden vehicle when their hideout was raided.