Imphal, January 30 2010: An IRB personnel who fled along with his service weapon was shot dead by police commandos during a shot out at Keirao Bitra early morning today.

According to police report, Md Abjal Ali Shah (24) s/o late Majid Ali of Keirao Makha Leikai who was a personnel of 6th IRB but fled from Babupara yesterday morning taking along with him an INSAS LMG, six magazines and the loaded bullets was shot dead by Imphal East District Police Commandos during an encounter that took place near the water supply scheme of Keirao Bitra under Irilbung Police Station of Imphal East at around 3 am today.

The shoot out broke out when some unidentified armed persons opened fire at the Commando team which was conducting search operation based on specific information about the presence of some armed UG cadres in Keirao Bitra area.

Md Abjal was killed in the shoot out and arms and ammunition that he had fled with recovered, the police report said.

Besides fatal bullet marks all over his body, there was also a fresh wound probably made by a sharp weapon on his right arm.

Instead of uniform, Abjal was in civilian dress.

The deceased left behind his wife, two daughters and two sons.

It may be recalled here that Abjal was part of the additional escort team deployed for the security of MLA Elangbam Dwijamani during the latter's tour of his Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, briefing the in sequence of the events that led to the shoot out today, a statement issued by Addl SP (Ops), Imphal East said that on January 24, at about 1 pm, on receipt of information that some wellarmed UG cadres are seen moving in and around the hill range of Kalika and southern flank of Baruni hills, Imphal East Police Commandos teams were immediately organised and deployed in Kalika, Uran Chiru hills and Sandangsemba Maring to cut off the movement of the UGs.

The Commando teams took position all along possible routes and remained in their respective positions till 2 am today.

On receiving reliable information that some armed youths are moving along the lower hill ranges near the water supply point, a special team of the Imphal East Commandos rushed to the area on foot leaving behind their vehicles.

On seeing the movement of the Commandos in the moonlight, the unidentified youths started firing heavily upon the commandos who also retaliated swiftly.

In the ensuing shoot out which lasted for around 30 minutes, one of the unknown youths was killed at the spot but the rest managed to escape.

After the firing cease, a thorough search of the area led to the discovering of the bullet ridden body wearing an array of colour T-shirt with white strips on it and blue jean pant.

One 5.56 INSAS Light Machine Gun bearing no.16870729 loaded with one live round in the chamber and 26 live rounds in the magazine were also found lying near the body.

The magazine pouch containing five nos.of magazines ( 3 magazines with 90 live rounds and 2 empty magazines) were also found tied around the waist of the body.

One Nokia mobile hand set (No.CE 0434 Code no.0568573 Model no.1202) was also recovered from inside the jean pocket of the deceased while 31 empty cases of 5.56 calibre and 11 empty cases of AK-47 Assault Rifles were found scattered around the area.

An FIR (case no.12 (1) 2010-IBS PS u/s 307/400/34 IPC and 25 (1-C) A Act has been registered for investigation into the incident.

However, later on, it has been established that the INSAS Light Machine Gun which was recovered from the unidentified youth is the same weapon which has been missing from Babupara, Imphal in connection with the case (FIR no.43 (1) 2010-IPS u/s 379 IPC & 27 Arms Act), the statement added.