Imphal, April 06 2009: An underground cadre suspected to be the Churachandpur district commander of the KCP (MC) was killed in a successful operation launched by a combined team of 3rd Assam Rifles and 7th Assam Rifles in the morning, while another cadre of the outfit was killed on the night of April 5 in a separate encounter, according to a PIB (DW) release.

The PIB (DW) hand-out said that troops of 57 Mountain Division launched a well coordinated operation after confirming the report of the cadre hiding in a house and cordoned the specified locality.

While the column commenced a search of the area in the early morning, the cadre fired upon the troops and attempted to escape under the cover of darkness.

The troop retaliated quickly and eliminated the cadre.

No damage was caused to the lives or property of the locals and no casualty was suffered by the security forces, the Army claimed.

The release said that the slain militant reportedly belonged to Moirang area of Bishnupur district and was in-charge of KCP (MC) Lanheiba faction operating against security forces and civilian in Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts.

The Army release also claimed that he was involved in placing extortion demand to businessmen in Kwakta and Tuibuong areas and reportedly collected Rs 1.7lakhs from numerous businessmen in the last three to four months.

"This is a major blow to the KCP (MC) group which was planning to disrupt the forthcoming general elections," the PIB (DW) release said and added that the 7AR had also killed another cadre of the same group on the night of April 5 in a separate encounter.