ANKARA, Jan 24: Four suspected Al Qaeda militants and a policeman were killed on Thursday as security forces raided alleged cells of the extremist network in south-eastern Turkey, officials said.

Anti-terror police launched simultaneous raids at several locations in Gaziantep province overnight on intelligence that Al Qaeda militants were planning “sensational attacks” in the region, the governor's office said.

“Four members of the organisation were killed in a gunfight that erupted when they responded with fire to calls to surrender,” the statement said.

Police seized 13 guns, ammunition and more than 100 kilograms of chemicals used in making bombs, as well as printed Al Qaeda material, it said. Nineteen people were detained and four policemen, meanwhile were hospitalised with injuries.—AFP