Imphal, April 15 2009: The total number of PREPAK cadres killed in the ongoing Operation Summer Storm launched by the Army since the wee hours of April 12 at Loktak lake has reached 9 with more deaths being confirmed.

However the Army has claimed that the number of militants killed since the launch of the Operation has reached 11, though only the bodies of 9 slain militants have been deposited at RIMS morgue till today.

In a statement, PIB Defence Wing said that while nine bodies have been recovered and handed over to police, process is underway to recover two more bodies caught in the phumdis.

The Operation, code name Operation Summer Storm, was launched on April 10 by 57 Mountain Division, police commandos and Bishnupur police at Loktak lake, Chingmai Pat, Nomgmaikhong, Arong and Khordak said the statement and added that till the last report the joint team has destroyed five major camps of PREPAK.

Till date there have been four major encounters, said PIB.

Claiming that zero collateral damage is the priority, PIB said that as such speculative firing was never resorted to.

The troops were sensitised that there may be women and children in the camp as well as not to cause harm to the Sangai at Keibul Lamjao.

Once the operation is over, Forest officials will be able to venture into Keibul Lamjao and operate without fear and threats from the militants, added the statement.

Official sources said that nine bodies, including one Sgt Major of the PREPAK have been deposited at RIMS morgue and the identities of two have been confirmed.

The latest instance of gun fight ensued yesterday morning at about 3 at Keibul Chingmei under Moirang police station.

Troops of 7 Assam Rifles who took part in the shoot out reportedly eliminated three militants.

Two AK 56 rifles along with two bullets, four grenade launchers, one Chinese made hand grenade and other items were seized after the shoot out.

The bodies have been deposited at RIMS morgue.

The identity of the one of the cadres killed on the first day of the operation at Ungamen Pat by 21 Para Troopers on the first day of the operation at Ungamen Pat by 21 Para troops has been established.

The slain youth has been identified as one Heisnam Arun alias Ngamba (16) of Chairen Mangjing.

According to sources the slain youth left home about 7 months back.

The body was handed over to family members after post mortem at RIMS morgue yesterday.

The Army had claimed that one AK-47 rifle was recovered from his possession.

Out of the two militants killed by 7 Assam Rifles personnel in the operation on April 13 the identity of one of them has been established as Sgt Major Yumnam Suraj alias Korak alias Bucha (22) of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda.

The wife of the slain Sgt Major along with his minor son were taken into custody by the security forces one the day he was killed.

The identity of the other militant killed along with the Sgt Major is yet to be established.

Two AK 47 rifle with 12 bullets, one hand grenade along with two detonators were recovered from their possession.

The body of Suraj was handed over to family members after post mortem at RIMS morgue yesterday.

The operation launched using helicopters and UAVs is still going on with no sign of the Army suspending it.

Troops are still surrounding the periphery of Loktak Lake and no one is allowed to venture into the lake.