Imphal, April 09 2009: Three militants suspected to KCP(MC) have been killed today by the Thoubal district police commandos and claimed recovery of a .32 pistol loaded with four live rounds, two hand grenades along with empty cases of lathod shell and bullets.

Police report said that the three militants were killed during an encounter occurred at Ikoppat village under Thoubal police station today at around 11 am.

Regarding the incident, SP, Thoubal district Clay Khongsai said the police commandos entered to the Ikop pat area on having specific information of carrying out extortion from the general public by some KCP (MC) activities.

When see some unknown youths coming up from the lake side in suspected manner, the commando challenged to stop them but instead of stopping, they opened fire towards the police commandos.

In the retaliatory action, they were killed, he said.

The dead bodies were recovered when police conducted search in the area after the exchange of fire ceases, he added.

Dead bodies have been retrieved from the pot and deposited at RIMS morgue, Imphal for official identification this afternoon.