Imphal, March 29 2009: Police commandos of Imphal East district gunned down another youth suspected to be an underground activist near the gate of the state Forensic Science Laboratory, Pangei on Imphal-Saikul road under Heingang police station in Imphal East district around 10.50 am today.

Police recovered a 9 mm pistol along with a magazine having two live rounds of ammunition from the possession of the slain suspect.

Police said, the suspect was killed when a team of Imphal East district police commandos while conducting frisking and checking near the gate of the Sainik School, Pangei, intercepted two youths who were coming on an Honda Activa.

Police said, the commandos were patrolling there on getting specific information that some anti-social elements were extorting money from the general public.

The dead youth was riding on the pillion.

He jumped down from the scooter in an attempt to escape from the police and opened fire towards the police.

Later, the identity of the slain youth was established as one Khumallambam Tomba (28), son of Ibochou of Khongman zone-III.

Whether he was an underground element or not could not be immediately known.

Earlier this morning, a combined force of 36 Assam Rifles, 12 Maratha LI and Imphal West police commandos conducted a cordon search operation at Koutruk uphill under Sapermaina police station.

Even though there were no reports of rounding up any underground during the operation, a hut believed to have been used as shelter and escaped before the security forces cordoned off the area had been burnt down.