Six government troops and three religious militants wanted over a university bomb attack last year were killed in an armed clash in the Philippines on Sunday.

The Philippine army's 44th Infantry Battalion and 7th Scout Ranger Company encountered the suspected terrorists during a military operation in the forests of Munai town, Lanao del Norte province on the southern island of Mindanao, on February 18.

A raging gunfight ensued in the rural area that left six troops and three Islamist militants dead, and four more soldiers wounded.

The encounter was the result of ongoing pursuit operations against the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute group - a terrorist organisation linked to the Islamic State and believed to be responsible for a deadly bombing attack that killed four people at the Mindanao State University on December 3.

In a February 19 statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said 18 suspected Maute group members have been 'neutralised' following the clash.

He said: 'Our operations have been successful so far and have resulted in the neutralization of 18 DI-MG members including @Engineer who masterminded the attack on innocent civilians.

'In continuation of this effort, an operation was launched last February 18 resulting to 2 more dead among the enemy and several others wounded based on intelligence information.

'However, six of our valiant soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice while another four were wounded. The wounded were already evacuated to Camp Evangelista Station Hospital.

'I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of our slain soldiers and offer the AFP's support in this very trying time. I will also make sure that our wounded soldiers receive the best treatment possible for their injuries.'

The AFP reported last month that the alleged mastermind of the university bombing, Khadafi Mimbesa or 'Engineer', had been killed in an army encounter in January.

The attack occurred during a Catholic mass service, killing four and injuring dozens as the blast ripped through the school gymnasium in Marawi City on December 3.

The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying on its Telegram channels that 'soldiers of the caliphate detonated an explosive device on a large gathering of Christians' in the city.

Marawi is the Philippines' largest Muslim city. It was previously captured by Islamist militants in May 2017, with more than a thousand killed before being liberated five months later by the Philippine military.