Imphal, June 11: Two suspected underground cadres were shot dead by security forces in separate incidents in the State today.

In the first instance an underground activist of the proscribed PREPAK was shot dead by Bishnupur Police Commandos during an encounter which took place at Utlou Makha Leikai under Nambol Police Station in the wee hours today.

One 9 mm pistol loaded with three live rounds of ammunition have also been recovered from the slain UG identified as Laithangbam Sekherjit alias Herani alias Sanjoy alias Inaoba (24) s/o Laithangbam Jhulon of Bishnupur Ward No.7 .

In a statement, PIB Defence Wing said that on receiving inputs a combined force of 15 JKLI and 12 MLI and Bishnupur police commandos rushed to the site and while approaching a suspected house they came under heavy fire.

The personnel also retaliated and in the ensuing gun fight one rebel was killed it said and identified him as S/S Sgt Maj Sanjoy alias Shekharjit of PREPAK.

One 9 mm pisotl along with three live rounds were recovered from the site.

According to police report, the Commando team rushed in on receipt of specific information about some armed UGs taking shelter in the area.

As the commandos approached Utlou Makha Leikai, four suspected UGs who were walking along the road started running and opening fire at the commandos.

The commandos also retaliated and the exchange of firing lasted for about 10 minutes.

After the firing ceased, the commandos searched the area and came across one of the UG suspects lying dead on the road side.

One 9 mm pistol loaded with three live rounds of ammunition was recovered from the slain UG.

On the other hand, refuting the police claim of killing him during a shoot out, the family members of Laithangbam Sekherjit have asserted that he was shot dead by the police commandos not long after he had been picked up at around 3 am today.

The family members informed that after having joined PREPAK in 2001, Sekherjit was on leave from the outfit for the last two weeks on medical ground and staying along with some relatives at Utlou Makha Leikai.

Meanwhile, the body has been handed over to the family members by the police after post-mortem at RIMS.

In the second incident a suspected PULF cadre was killed in a shoot out with troops of 32 Assam Rifles based at Lilong near Phunal Chinghtak Water Supply reservoir under Irilbung police station today at about 5.30 pm.

Our staff reporter who rushed to the site on receiving the report said that the troops rushed to the area on receiving information that PULF cadres were seen there.

Even as the troops were searching the area, they saw eight well armed cadres coming from the side of Urup Naokon.

The AR troops opened fire and in the ensuing gun fight one of the rebels was killed while another three were injured.

They however along with their colleagues who were not hurt managed to escape.

One .303 rifle and haversack containing AK bullets were recovered from the site.

Additional forces including troops from the 32 Assam Rifles stationed at Chinga, police commandos of Imphal East and West have rushed to the spot to conduct search operations.