Imphal, January 08 2010: A combined force gunned down KCP (MC) activists allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a pradhan in Bishnupur who later escaped fronm their captivity last night at about 11.20 pm and recovered two small guns with ammunitions, police said today.

The slain KCP (MC) activists who, according to SP of Bishnupur district, belongs to Lamyanba Khuman have been identified as Laishram Bony @ Boris @ Tomba (25) son of L Ishokanta of Phubala Awang Leikai and Hemam Manglem @ Mangkhulen (21) son of H Ranjit, a hut dweller of Phubala.

SP, Jayenta who spoke to media persons at his office chamber today said that both were active members of KCP (MC) Lamyanba Khuman.

Bony was earlier a member of PREPAK and had undergrown basic military training as 33rd Batch of the outfit, he added.

They were killed by the combined force of Bishnupur police commandos and 16th Maratha Li during a brief exchange of fire last night in the general area of inter village road of Trongloabi and Gelmol.

The combined team rushed to the area to launch an operation based on intelligence input of the presence of activists of the KCP(MC) Lamyanba Khuman who were responsible for hurling and exploding of grenades at some individuals houses in the district.

During the course of operation, while the combined teams were approaching the inter village road of Tronglaobi and Gelmol, the armed cadres of KCP (MC) cadres who were hiding in the paddy field opened fire towards the teams.

The combined team returned fire resulting in the brief exchange of fire for about 10 minutes.

The armed activists managed to escape towards the western high feature hill range side taking advantage of the darkness.

On further search in the area, two dead bodies with two 9 mm pistols were found.

On further search of the dead bodies, some incriminating documents relating to extortion demand letters of KCP(MC) Lamyanba Khuman signed by Taibang Nganba were found.

A case has been registered at Moirang police station.

The SP further said that during a preliminary invesitgaiton, police established that both the slain were directly involved in the kidnapping and abduction of L Tomchou, pradhan of Terakhongsangbi on January 3 last in connection with extortion demand.

Tomchou, mention may be made escaped from the hideout of the KCP(MC) at Churachandpur where he was kept on the night of January 4 .