Imphal, January 31 2010: Thoubal police commandos gunned down two suspected PLA cadres in an alleged encounter early today in a paddy field at Langmeithet Mamang under Yairipok police station of Thoubal district.

The police commandos recovered some arms and ammunition.

The two suspects were killed in a fierce encounter that lasted for around 30 minutes with a group of heavily armed undergrounds, a statement of the Senior SP of Thoubal district, Clay Khongsai said.

Police said, the incident happened when a team of police personnel noticed two persons moving in a suspicious manner and in the general area.

Police cordoned off the areas and conducted search operation from 3 am onward.

The gunfight occurred at about 4 am, the statement added.

They were killed in the retaliatory action of the commandos who were under heavy fire from two directions at Langmeithet Mamang paddy field with heavy weapons.

The exchange of fire lasted for about 30 minutes.

In spite of dense fog at the time, the commandos tactically pushed and pressured the "militants" to retreat further towards the paddy field.

An AK series rifle, two magazines loaded with 21 live rounds, one lathod gun, two live rounds of lethod shell, one empty lathod bomb shell, one RT set broken after being hit by bullet, fifteen empty cases of AK ammunition and two leather wallets with Rs 560 were recovered from the possessions of the two slain suspects.

One of the slain cadres could be one RK Ramchandra as revealed from a license found in his wallet.

The dead bodies have been deposited at RIMS morgue, Imphal for official identification, police added.