PULF suspect gunned down, two earlier slain UGs identified

One suspected cadre of the underground PULF was gunned down by troops of the 28 Assam Rifles at Kiyamgei Muslim Takok Palli under Irilbung police station this evening around 8.15 pm during an encounter. One AK-56-Rifles loaded with one magazine and nine live rounds and some incriminating documents of the outfit were recovered from the possession of the deceased.

According to an official release, the incident occurred when troops of 28 Assam Rifles based on intelligence of presence of the armed militants in and around the Kiyamgei areas this evening, rushed to the area and conducted a swift operation.

During the course of the operation, some unidentified armed persons who have been taking shelter initially fired upon security forces and the security forces too retaliated., the release said

An encounter ensued on both sides for about 10 minutes and some armed person were seen escaping from the area while firing towards the security forces, it said.

The release further mentioned that personnel of the 28 Assam Rifles carried out search into the encounter site during which one unidentified person suspected to be amongst the armed militant was found dead along with one AK-56 Rifles containing a magazine along with nine live rounds.

The unidentified armed militants suspected to a cadre of underground PULF was picked up by Irilbung Police from the spot this evening and brought to RIMS morgue.

In the meantime, the identities of two suspected militants who were gunned down by a team of Imphal east police commandos yesterday at Irilbung were confirmed to be hard-core cadres of the underground UPPK.

The deceased were identified as Takhellambam Herojit alias Nanao alias Sailesh, 22, son of T Krishnakumar of Serou Mayai Laikai and Irom Naobiton alias Manglemba, 25, son of Ibocha of Lamshang Taothong Ayungba Maning Leikai.

It may mentioned that both the militants were killed during a fierce encounter yesterday afternoon around 1.45 pm at Lairouching-gol Tasar Farm under Irilbung PS.

According to the family sources, deceased Herojit never returned home since he joined PREPAK during 1994 and the deceased Naobiton alias Manglemba was reportedly too joined the same outfit eight years back.

Family sources further revealed that both the deceased were holding high rank in the outfit.

The dead bodies of two militants were handed over to their respective families by the police this afternoon after post mortem at RIMS morgue this afternoon.