Imphal, December 22: In a near simultaneous gun fight between security forces and UNLF cadres at S Bongjoi and Tuileng village yesterday, six UNLF cadres were killed, claimed Hqs IG AR (S) in a press release issued by its PRO.

Five UNLF cadres were killed in S Bongjoi while another cadre was slain in Tuileng village encounter which took place at about 2 pm.

Moreover, AR and army troops busted a large hide out of militants in Chamol area in which a large quantity of weapons, IED materials and other stores were recovered yesterday.

One 9 mm pistol, one SLR, five magazines of AK rifle, three radio sets (Kenwood), 100 pairs of combat dress, 200 combat belts, ten Sintex tanks, 30 Jerican, 40 blankets, three generators, two inverters, three battery, 50 litres of petrol, 50 lts of kerosene oil and a substantial quantity of materials for making IEDs and also a large quantity of ration items were recovered from the busted hide-out, said the PRO.

With the Operation Samtal progressing speedily, the troops have reached within striking distance of New Samtal. Radio communication among the UG groups revealed that there have been several fatal casualties and scores of injuries on their (UG cadres) side,.

So far, a total of 170 IEDs have been recovered and destroyed, the PRO informed while claiming that the local villagers are able to move around without fear of UGs or the IEDs planted by them.