Jiribam, August 27: One person was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Lower Lerie colony, Kohima at around 1.30 pm today, reports NNN.

Sources revealed that the victim, identified as one Thomas Poumai, reportedly a S/S sergeant major of NSCN-IM was shot thrice.

The deceased was identified through a notepad recovered by the police from his pocket.

Police also recovered five empty cases of 9 mm pistol from the spot.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has claimed that Thomas Poumai had been discharged from the NSCN-IM on health ground and accused the NSCN-K of killing Thomas.

"Targeting and killing at random is the visible sign of K-group going against NSCN.

Mr Thomas Poumai was killed at Kohima today by K-group claiming that he is a member of NSCN," stated the NSCN-IM in a press note tonight.

Thomas was discharged from service a long time back and NSCN-IM has nothing with him.Thomas was pulled out from his house and shot dead on the spot, added the NSCN-IM.