Ankara, July 9 (DPA) Three police officers and three unidentified gunmen were killed in a firefight Wednesday outside the main gate of the US Consulate in Istanbul, the private NTV television channel reported.

Witnesses told NTV that a white car slowed down and stopped outside the main gate of the consulate in the suburb of Istinye. Three of the passengers got out of the car and fired at the police, starting a gun battle that lasted up to eight minutes.

Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler told reporters that three attackers and one police officer were killed on the spot, while two other police officers succumbed to their injuries later at a hospital.

The driver of the car reportedly fled the scene.

Guler said the police were now investigating whether the attackers had any links with any known terrorist groups.