New Delhi, March 08, 2010: Villagers fled their homes and went to safer places today as clashes between PLA and Assam Rifles troops once again erupted at Ringpham village, close to Tolen village in Chandel district, where the two groups engaged in gunfight around a week ago.

Local sources believed that two AR personnel were killed and three others injured in the ambush laid by PLA fighters.

The troops also returned fire resulting in heavy exchange of fire for about 15 to 20 minutes.

One soldier was confirmed killed while another wounded personnel was evacuated at Leimakhong Army Hospital by Army helicopter from the place of clash.

The deceased AR personnel has been identified as Josheph Radong Puya while the injured rifleman has been identified as Mangtinlal Haokip.

The later sustained bullet injuries in his right ear and chest.

His condition is stated to be serious.

The AR troops were en route to Tolen village when they came under heavy volley of bullets from the rebels at Ringpham village located between the village of Warok and Tolen village of Chandel district but under the operational area of Thoubal district police at about 8.30 am today, official reports said.

Reports culled from the villagers indicated that at least two AR personnel were killed while another one was wounded in the gunfight which lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes.

It is believed that one wounded PLA cadre was nabbed, but report could not be confirmed.

Troops of 15 Assam Rifles advancing to the areas at the tri-junction of three districts of Thoubal, Ukhrul and Chandel district to flush out rebels camping in the area have been facing steep opposition from the PLA cadres.

Troops engaged in gunfight at least two times since the first gunfight on March 2 last.

On March 2, PLA rebels laid multiple ambushes on the same troops of 15 AR in which in the first ambush that took place at Tolen village inflicted injuries to an AR jawan and a civilian.

PLA again launched ambushed on the same AR troops in the morning of March 4 at Keihou village.

But no casualty reported in the incident in which AR also retaliated.

On the other hand, villagers of Ringpham village where today's gunfight took place evacuated themselves to safer places in the nearby villages at valley areas as AR troop with reinforcement of the same unit entered the area again to launch offensive to flush our rebels.

The operation was in progress till the time of filing this report and late reports said that villagers of nearby area seen wildfire catching up in the area where security forces have cordon off and counter offensive launched in the aftermath of the ambush.