ISLAMABAD, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Two terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Monday.

According to a police statement, the militants opened fire on a police mobile van during a routine patrol in the Bannu district, prompting an immediate response from police personnel.

An exchange of fire ensued and lasted for about 20 minutes, during which two terrorists were killed, the police said.

A search operation was launched in the area, and the bodies of the two killed were shifted to a nearby hospital for legal formalities, police added. ■