Imphal, July 20: Two suspected underground activists were killed by police commandos after a brief shoot-out at the heart of the capital district at around 7 pm today.

Besides the late evening shoot-out, two other UG suspects have been gunned down in Thoubal and Imphal East district areas today.

Five civilians, including a mother and her son who scampered for safety during the encounter at Keishampat Junction also sustained injuries.

Of the five injured three are women, informed to be roadside vegetable sellers/vendors.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (Imphal West), L Kailun a police commando team sped towards Keishampat Junction on getting information about UG activists indulging in extortion activities and soon an exchange of fire ensued.

As the fire-fight subsided two individuals were found dead from whom one revolver with a live round and an empty case besides a Chinese made hand-grenade were recovered, the SP maintained while conceding that firing from which direction caused injuries to the five civilians could not be ascertained.

The five injured civilians, who have been rushed to RIMS Hospital are said to be Ksh Ishworjit (20) and his 45-year old mother Ibecha w/o (L) Ameshwor of Tera Sapam Leirak, Ningombam Bakel (20) s/o Ingocha also from Tera Sapam Leirak, Nongmaithem Bihari Devi (45) w/ Birchandra of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai and Maibam Kumudini (59) w/o (L) Ramkumar of Keishampat Thiyam Leikai.

Bakel has been wounded on the buttock area while the other four suffered injuries on their legs.

An FIR case has been registered on the matter.

The duo's bodies were retrieved from the spot and deposited at Rims morgue.

Following the incident traders downed shutters in and around Keishampat market.

With Sunday's killing over twenty suspected rebels have been gunned down in separate encounters with security forces since the beginning of this month.

Hardly an hour after the Keishampat incident, Imphal West police commandos gunned down another UG suspect at near Khuman Lampak Sports Complex with the security team recovering one .36 HE handgrenade from the deceased whose body has been deposited at RIMS morgue for necessary procedures.

According to police sources, an encounter ensued at near the water treatment plant of the sport complex at around 7.55 pm.

Upon observing two unidentified persons on a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle, the police commandos tried to halt them but came under firing.

While one was gunned down on the spot, his companion managed to sped off towards Lamlong side, the sources maintained.

At Yairipok Khoirom area in thoubal district, commando personnel of the district shot dead another UG suspect after an encounter at around 3.30 pm today.

One 9 mm pistol and a live round could be recovered from the deceased besides an empty case from near the encounter site, said a statement issued by the SP (Thoubal) Clay Khongsai.

The SP conveyed that on being informed of UG cadres loitering at Yairipok Khoirom area for extortion from local saw mill owners and general public, a commando team that rushed there came under fire.

After the shoot-out and consequent searches body of an individual was discovered at the courtyard of one Sanamba of Khoirom Laimang.