Imphal, December 12 2008: One suspected UG cadre has been shot dead while two other including an injured one managed to escape in a reported encounter with Imphal West commandos tonight.

The encounter took place at Salanthong under Porompat police station at about 6.30 pm, informed a police source.

The encounter ensued when a commando team approached the spot after crossing Lamlong bridge.

There the commando faced off with three youths who came on a motorcycle (Yamaha) .

On seeing the commando team, the youths who came from Khurai Lairikyengbam side opened fire towards the security team.

As the commandos retaliated, the hindmost pillion rider jumped down and escaped towards the same direction from where they came.

While one lay wounded, one was found dead.

As the injured youth who rode the motorcycle shouted to the commandos that he was a civilian, the commandos pursued the fled away youth leaving behind the injured one.

But when the commandos returned back, the injured youth had already fled away on the same motorcycle, conveyed the police source.

One AK-56 rifle and 14 live rounds have been recovered from the slain individual.

After the incident, police searched for the fled away but injured youth in different hospitals of Imphal, although without success.

Imphal West SP L Kailun also visited the encounter site.

Corpse of the slain youth has been deposited at RIMS mortuary.