Imphal, February 11, 2010: Three suspected underground activists have been killed in a reported encounter with troops of 12 Assam Rifles near Nambashi village of Ukhrul district in the wee hours today.

Troops of 12 AR posted at Kashung village and suspected PLA cadres were engaged in a gun-fight near Nambashi, about 22 Kms South of Kasom Khullen police station at about 3.15 am, said a police source.

According to a press release issued by the PRO of Hqs IG AR (S), troops of 12 AR on discovering the presence of UG cadres along the Taret R, Kasong-Sorde area, launched operation in the area.

At around 3.30 am, troops observed some suspicious movement on a track leading to Nambashi.

On being challenged, UG cadres opened heavy volume of fire on the AR column which was immediately retaliated.

In the ensuing gun-fight which lasted for about five minutes, one UG cadre was shot dead on the spot.

Soon the UG cadres broke up and fled taking cover of darkness.

Later on searching the area, two more bodies of UG cadres were found.

One AK rifle with ten live rounds, two pistols with magazines, two live rounds, one hand grenade and five fired cartridges of AK were recovered from the slain cadres.

Corpses of the slain UG cadres have been handed over to Kasom Khullen police station along with the recovered items, added the PRO.

A team of Ukhrul police have left for Kasom Khullen via Imphal to retrieve the corpses.

One found dead: One 40 year old man who used to travel around selling gospel music and video albums was found dead in a suspicious manner on Pudunamei road in Senapati district this morning.

According to voter identity card recovered from his possession, the deceased was one Thangjam Selungba (40) s/o Kumar of Yairipok Ukhongshang.

He was found dead at Pudunamei, about 1.5 km East of Mao Police station at about 7 am today.

Blood stained injury marks were observed on two spots on his head.

Bruise marks were also observed on both hands and left knee.

Mao Police have picked up the corpse and deposited at RIMS mortuary.

According to family members, Selungba had prepared to join Christian missionary.

He had taken up Christianity as his religious faith.

He left for Mao in the morning of February 9 taking with him gospel albums.

One individual speaking tribal dialect called Selungba's daughter from his cell-phone last morning.

The daughter responded in the form of SMS in Manipuri.

Again in the evening, one tribal asked the daughter in Manipuri about the profession of Selungba.

To this, the girl replied that her father was a preacher of Christianity.

After that, the mobile phone was switched off.

Selungba is survived by his wife and three children.

Following registration of a case, Mao police have launched an investigation into the case.