Imphal, September 02: Two suspected UNLF cadres have been killed following an encounter with troops of 1 Assam Rifles at Nambashi village of Kasom Khullen in Ukhrul district this morning.

A statement issued by PRO IGAR (S) said that based on information about movement of UG cadres from Myanmar side towards Ukhrul, troops of 1 Assam Rifles launched operations in general area of Nambashi valley on September 1 and laid multiple ambushes.

Stating that two suspected UGs unaware of presence of AR troops approached the ambush site, the PRO informed that on being challenged the UGs opened fire and hurled two grenades but both got killed as the AR troops responded immediately.

One Chinese made 9 mm pistol, four live rounds and one handgrenade have been recovered from the slain persons, the PRO added.

According to police sources, suspected UNLF cadres attacked a patrol party of the 1 AR at around 3.30 am near Nambashi village, which is about 95 kilometres from here and 24 kms from Kasom Khullen sub-divisional headquarters.

The AR claimed to have recovered two 9 mm pistols from the deceased persons, who were slain in retaliatory firing by the para-military force personnel.

Troops of the AR unit involved in the shoot-out are stationed at the Indo-Myanmar border post namely Kashung village.

The same AR statement also informed that troops of 34 AR apprehended one PULF (Umar) cadre yesterday during the course of an operation conducted at Bamon Leikai area.

Identifying the arrested person as S/S Sgt Md Rahman alias Rohit alias Tebo (29) s/o (L) Md Chaoba alias Md Kamaruddin of Yairipok Tulihal Awang Leikai, the PRO listed one 9 mm pistol and six live rounds as items recovered from the apprehendee who has been handed over to Thoubal police station today.

Another PULF (Azad) cadre was nabbed on August 29 from Laiching Minou area, the PRO maintained while identifying the captive as (No.403) S/S Sep Md Rati Ahmed s/o Md Jahruddin of Phoudel Yairipok.

Meanwhile, bomb disposal squad of the BSF safely exploded an IED recovered from the Universal College road in Yairipok Singa, Thoubal district at around 7.30 am today.

A patrol party of the 88 Bn BSF reportedly detected the explosive device measuring 15 centimetre and 3 diameter with wire and dry cell (battery) attached, at around 5.40 am.