Imphal, October 31 2009: Contrary to the proscribed UNLF organisation claiming seven casualties inflicted upon the Assam Rifles, an official source insist only three have been slain in the attack launched by cadres of the banned outfit at a Chandel district area today.

A statement issued by the Senior Publicity Officer of the UNLF Ksh Yoiheiba put the Assam Rifles toll at seven, including a Captain, a police source said three personnel of the para-military force were killed in the ambush.

An informed source from the Assam Rifles said that they have lost one JCO and two soldiers and added that their bodies are being brought to RIMS.

The source said at least three Assam Rifles soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) got killed in the attack at the remote Khengjoi area in Chandel district that is close to the Indo-Myanmar border.

However, the banned UNLF in a statement issued today claiming responsibility for the attack against the central security force contended that seven personnel including a Captain were killed in the ambush.

Even though the AR authorities are yet to acknowledge the ambush or confirm report of the casualties suffered by its personnel, a senior official of the paramilitary force said 'some incidents occurred there'.

On the otherhand, the police source said expressed that efforts are on get details on it from the spot with the assertion that later in the evening a clear picture might emerge on the attack.

Significantly, the incident took place a time when top security officials of the North eastern region are discussing security related issues of the region at Shillong.

Meanwhile, the UNLF statement contended a fighting team of its armed wing Manipur People's Army (293 battalion ) carried out the ambush at around 8.15 am with the target being a foot patrol team of AR near Aibol village.

Ksh Yoiheiba claimed that in the ambush seven AR men including a Captain were slain and that some other personnel also suffered injuries.

moreover, the attackers reportedly snatched four Insas Rifles, one AK series rifle, a binocular, one wireless set and some documents from the slain jawans.

Those (jawans) who managed to survive were so terrified by the sudden ambush and they fled away from the spot, it continued adding that further reports are awaited.