At least five militants were killed on Saturday evening in a police encounter after a terrorist attack at a police convoy in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, officials said.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Rao Anwar, said the incident took place when a group of unknown militants attacked his convoy at the Malir Link Road area of the city.

"At least 10 unidentified militants opened fire and hurled hand grenades at my convoy, that was an attempt on my life but I escaped," said Anwar.

Police commandos in the convoy retaliated to the attack and killed five of the assailants while others managed to run away from the site.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. However, the police officer claimed that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was behind the attack at his convoy.

Earlier on Friday, the militants of the TTP killed Anwar's assistant, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Fateh Mohammad Sangi.

Anwar and his police team, in many operations, have arrested and killed a number of militants and criminals during last couple of months in the city.