Imphal, January 13 2009: Four suspected militants were slain by security forces in separate encounters during the last 24 hours.

In the first instance one suspected PREPAK cadre was slain in an encounter between troops of 11 AR and a combined team of PREPAK and NNC near Satudai village, about 3 kms South of Khoupum police station in Tamenglong district last night.

In a statement, PIB Defence Wing said that during a joint operation launched by troops of the Army, AR, TA (Home and Hearth) of Red Shield Division, a heavily armed cadre of the proscribed PREPAK was killed in Khoupum valley.

Acting on specific information, troops of Red Shield Division launched an operation and the PREPAK cadre was killed, it said and added that one AK-47 rifle along with a large quantity of ammunition and radio sets were recovered from him.

The body has been handed over to police.

According to police sources, the encounter took place at about 9.10 pm.

The slain individual is about 5'5" in height and has fair complexion and is thinly built.

Clad in combat fatigue, he appears to be in his twenties.

The corpse has been brought to RIMS morgue this afternoon, informed the source.

Another UG suspect was shot dead by a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and 21 Assam Rifles today at Sangaiyumpham Pali bazar at about 8.20 pm.

One 9 mm pistol with two bullets have been recovered from him.

Meanwhile one suspected PULF cadre and one KCP (MC) cadre were killed in separate encounters with security forces in Imphal East district today evening.

According to police sources the first of the two incidents took place on the road connecting Kongba Keikhu to Heikrakthong under Porompat police in Imphal East today at about 6.20 pm.

Acting on inputs, Imphal East police commandos on motor cycles rushed to the spot and soon saw two persons moving in a suspicious manner, said police.

When the two were asked to stop, they instead opened fire, prompting the commandos to retaliate.

One of them was killed at the spot while the other managed to escape under cover of darkness, said police.

One 9 mm pistol along with four bullets were recovered from his possession.

A letter head with the seal of the project officer of PULF but with no contents was found on his body.

An identity card issued by the MOBC, RD and PR Minister Md Allauddin as his personal staff was also recovered from his possession.

The ID card carried the name Md Ayub Ali of Keirao Makting Makha Leikai.

Shortly after the Keikhu incident one suspected KCP (MC) cadre was also gunned down at a spot in between Saobungkhok and Seijang in Imphal East under Lamlai police station by a combined team of Imphal West police commandos and 23 Assam Rifles today at 6.30 pm.

Police source said that the combined force rushed to the spot on receipt of specific inputs.

As the team approached the spot, an encounter ensued in which the KCP (MC) suspect cadre was killed.

One 9 mm pistol along with three bullets were recovered from him.

The body has been deposited at RIMS morgue.