Imphal, May 12: Two suspected cadres of the proscribed KCP (MC) have been gunned down by Imphal East district police commandos in a restaurant located at Ghari along airport road at about 4.30 pm today.

According to a police source, Imphal East commandos were keeping a strict vigil along airport road following specific information that UG groups have been extorting from restaurants on the said route.

As the commando team reached Ghari, two youths were seen moving in a suspicious manner but they disappeared soon.

In search of the two youths, the commandos moved to Rockci Fast Food Restaurant located there.

But just as the commandos reached the restaurants, shots were fired towards the commando personnel from inside the restaurant.

The commandos retaliated killing two youths.

While one youth was found dead at the back door of the restaurant, the other was found dead behind the restaurant.

While the first youth was hit by a bullet on the left cheek, the other was hit at the right ear.

One hand grenade, one 9 mm pistol and four live rounds were recovered from the possession of the slain youths, said the source.

Even as eight persons were inside the restaurant when the shoot-out took place, none of them were hurt in the shoot out.

Cook/waiter of the restaurant Jimmy Kuki said that he could hear 2/3 rounds of gun shots when he came back to the kitchen after taking clothes from the clothesline amid the afternoon rain.

After a brief lull, a few more rounds of firing could be heard.

He went outside when he was called by the commandos a little later, said Jimmy adding that he did not know whether the two slain youths were already inside the restaurant or ran in just before the shoot-out.

Police have picked up the corpses and deposited them at RIMS morgue.

One found dead : A bullet riddled body was found at the outskirt of Gangte Veng, Chienkonpang in Churachandpur district at about 6.30 am today.

The deceased has been identified as one Samuel alias Elvina (37).According to sources, Samuel was pulled up by some armed men yesterday while demanding money from vendors at the local market.

The body of Samuel has been handed over to family members after post mortem at district hospital here.