Imphal, January 10 2009: TWO CADRES of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and one cadre of the People's United Libereation Front (PULF) have been gunned down by the Thoubal police commandos and combined security force in two separate alleged encounters.

The first encounter occurred at the Buffalo Farm junction near Kharungpat in Thoubal district on Saturday afternoon.

The police commandos also arrested a cadre of the People's United Liberation Front (PULF) on Thursday morning from Phundrei village in Thoubal district.

A press statement issued by Clay Khongsai, IPS, Superintendent of Thoubal district police informed that on receipt of specific information of the presence of PLA cadres on the axis of Sekmaijin, Wabagai and Keirak, the police commandos were pressed into service to pre-empt any subversive activity by the militants.

And in the eventual shootout that followed two of the cadres were gunned down while the others managed to escape, stated the SP and informed that the shootout lasted for about 15 minutes.

The forces also recovered three AK 56 rifles along with five magazines, 40 rounds of live AK ammunitions, two pressure bombs and a bag, stated the press statement.

However, a different source informed that the two persons were arrested by the Thoubal district police commandos from Thoubal Ningombam area.

On being interrogated, they had disclosed the spot where a lot of arms and ammunitions were concealed.

Among the arms and ammunitions recovered by the police included seven AK rifles, two lethode guns, 1,500 live rounds of AK rifles and some pacer bombs, the source said.

The Thoubal police commandos also arrested a cadre of PULF on Thursday morning from Phundrei village in Thoubal district during frisking and checking, stated the press statement of the SP made available today.

The cadre has been identified as Bogimayum Ramijuddin, 25, s/o Amubi of Irong Makha Leikai, Thoubal district.

In another incident, a combined force of Imphal west district police commandos and 32 AR shot dead a suspected PULF activist in an alleged encounter that took place around 8.30 pm today at Shamurou Awang Leikai on the Imphal river bank within the jurisdiction of Wanggoi police station.

The combined force allegedly recovered one 9mm pistol along with a magazine containing four live rounds.

The body has been taken to the RIMS morgue for identification and post mortem.