Imphal, January 16: Two suspected KCP cadres were killed in an encounter with Imphal West commandos at Lamdeng Khunou, about 5 kms North of Lamshang police station at about 11.40 am today.

According to information culled from the spot, five persons were standing besides a Maruti car (steel colour) and talking among themselves at the Lamdeng Khunou hill side road when police commandos came towards them in a Gypsy from Iroishemba side.

Seeing the commandos approaching, one of the youths hurled a hand-grenade and another opened fire towards the commando team.

However, the other three individuals got inside the car and drove away immediately.

In the retaliatory firing, the two UG suspects who stayed back were killed.

One 9 mm pistol, five live rounds, two mobile phone handsets and a waist pouch containing an Indian made hand grenade were recovered from the two slain cadres.

The hand-grenades hurled by the UG suspect were later recovered from the adjoining paddy field.

The lever of the grenades were found missing.

The two grenades were later set off by explosive experts of Manipur police at about 1.23 pm there.

According to a commando personnel involved in the encounter, the two slain individuals could be cadres of the proscribed KCP.

Vital information about the identities and the group to which they belonged to could be surmised from the cell phones recovered from their possession.

It is reported that the three individuals who escaped the encounter were seen driving away in Lamdeng Khunou Makha Leikai.

The corpses of the two unidentified slain cadres have been deposited at RIMS mortuary.

Of the two, one was wearing a blue coloured jersey, jean pants and a pair of black coloured leather slippers.

He was well-built, fair and had short hair and rounded face.

He looked to be about 30 years in age.

The other deceased was found wearing a grey coloured jacket, a white T-shirt, white pants and white shoes.

He had long hair, moustache and medium complexion and was tall.

He appeared to be about 35 years in age.

Both the deceased bore multiple bullet marks.