Imphal, June 29 2009: Troops of 36 Assam Rifles claimed to have gunned down a KNF (P) cadre in retaliatory firing at Kangpokpi area last night and recovered one 9 mm pistol and three live rounds from the possession of the slain individual.

The AR troops under the aegis of 57 Mountain Division while carrying out area domination last night, encountered a group of armed UGs in the area of Kangpokpi Ward No 4, informed a PIB (DW) release today adding that on being challenged the UGs fired at the security forces.

Identifying the person slain as one Robert (25) of Haipai village of the KNF (P), the defence Wing release also recounted an incident on June 20 during which one KRA cadre was killed by the KNF (P) in inter-factional gun fight.

In the recent past such incidents of violating SoO by the Kuki SoO groups have been recurring, particularly around Kangpokpi and need to be curbed, PIB maintained.