ABUJA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- More than 60 suspected terrorists were killed as Nigerian troops repelled an attack on a military location in the country's northeastern state of Borno, local media reported Wednesday.

The terrorists, suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), launched an attack on Tuesday evening on the 68 Battalion in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno, but were repelled by troops, the state-run News Agency of Nigeria reported, citing an operational report by the military.

It said that the assault originated from Duguri General Area, noting the terrorists were on foot, with armed drones. The troops quickly countered the drones and forced the terrorists to flee in disarray.

"Initial assessments indicate over 60 terrorists were neutralized during the operation, while four soldiers sustained minor injuries," the report said.

The ISWAP has been collaborating with Boko Haram in an attempt to establish an Islamist state in northeastern Nigeria. The group has also extended its attacks to other countries in the Lake Chad Basin. ■