Imphal, December 23: Two suspected PLA cadres have been killed in a shoot-out with KNF (P) cadres at Nongpok Keithelmanbi Bazar about 13/14 kms North of Yairipok police station.

The shoot-out between the two UG groups which broke out at about 6 last night continued till 2 this morning.

Villagers in the surrounding area said that they heard sounds of gun shots with loud explosions of bombs at regular intervals all throughout the night.

A team of reporters who went to the encounter site this morning found two bodies at a hilly place known as Utubi Lamkhai about 12 kms from Yairipok Lamkhai towards Nongpok Keithelmanbi.

The two corpses found on the road side bore several bullet marks.

The site is just about half a kilometre North of Thoubal Barrage.

Of the two deceased found well covered by a thick khaki coloured cloth, one wore camouflage uniforms.

An empty lathode pouch and a wallet were recovered from his body.

However, no money or papers were found inside the wallet.

The other deceased was found wearing brown pants, grey jacket and camouflage coloured shoes.

A black handkerchief was found above the khaki cloth covering the two corpses.

Fatal bullet marks were observed on their abdomen, head and wrist.

According to the local villagers of Utubi Lamkhai, the two corpses was brought there by a large number of KNF (P) cadres from Keithelmanbi bazar side.

The villagers maintained that the two groups involved in the gun fight should be PLA and KNF cadres and those killed in the encounter might be PLA cadres.

Police have picked up both the corpses and deposited them at RIMS morgue.

Due to the heavy gun fight, substantial damage was done to the adjoining houses and market shed of Nongpok Keithelmanbi. The damaged houses belong to Sarangthem Lupa, Mongjam Ibohal, Sadokpam Thambou and Mayengbam Inaocha.