Imphal, January 19 2010: Troops of Assam Rifles gunned down a People's United Liberation Front (PULF) militant at Waithou in Thoubal district while in a separate incident, a combined team of police commandos and 26 Assam Rifles apprehended an activist of the underground United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK).

Meanwhile, a handgrenade exploded at Naoremthong injuring two persons, one of them seriously.

The PULF cadre was allegedly killed in an encounter with the troops of 28 Assam Rifles at about 9.30 pm yesterday in Waithou village area under Thoubal police station of Thoubal district.

Police said, the troops recovered a 9 mm pistol, a hand grenade and some live rounds from the slain cadre whose identity could not be immediately established.

The dead body along with the seized items had been handed over to Thoubal police last night.

On the other hand, an activist of the underground outfit, UPPK was apprehended by a combined team of Imphal west police commandos and troops of 26 Assam Rifles from Phayeng Khunou Pather Bazar last night at about 7.30 pm.

He has been identified as Sapam Tondon (38) son of S Nanao of Uripok Achom Leikai.

He joined the outfit in 2009 through one self style Tony of Salungpham and working under his command, Senior SP, L Kailun of Imphal west informed in a statement today.

The incident of hand grenade explosion occurred around 9.40 pm tonight at Naoremthong while Leikangbam Angouton (30) of Uripok Achom Leikai, Saikhom Tejbir (22) of the same locality were passing by on an Activa scooter.

Both of them sustained injuries.

Angouton is said to be critically injured, and has been admitted to Shija Hospitals at Langol.

It is not known whether the bomb was hurled by somebody else or fell down from the two injured.

Police have begun investigation.