Lagos, Jan 26 (IANS): Scores of Boko Haram militants were killed when Nigerian troops repelled massive attacks launched at Maiduguri and other towns in the northeastern state of Borno, a security source told Xinhua news agency Monday.

The source said on condition of anonymity that the militants who attacked Maiduguri, the state capital, in the early hours of Sunday were successfully repelled by security forces stationed in the state.

Many injured militants were also captured, the source added.

He said an extensive cordon and search operation was conducted of the mopping-up operation to determine details of the heavy casualties suffered by the terrorists.

The security source said a Cobra armoured vehicle, heavy artillery guns, as well as some machine guns and other weapons were captured from the fleeing terrorists.

Three cars loaded with explosives were also destroyed, the source added.

A Xinhua reporter in the restive state said Nigerian troops in Konduga area of the state successfully repelled the terrorists' attacks twice Sunday.

He said some of the troops lost their lives in the series of operations to repel the terrorists, noting that those who were wounded were evacuated for medical treatment.