Imphal, June 22 2009: A suspected underground activist was shot dead by a combined force of Thoubal Police Commandos and personnel of 34 Assam Rifles during an encounter which took place at Wangjing area at around 11.10 pm yesterday.

Two others, however, managed to escape.

According to a statement issued by Senior SP of Thoubal District Clay Khongsai today, acting on specific information about some armed UGs moving around with sophisticated weapons in the general area of Wangjing and Khongjom villages, the combined force established multiple check points along National Highway 39 from Tentha near YK College, Gate Wangjing to Khongjom from 10.30 pm onwards.

At about 11.10 pm, while the combined team was on frisking and checking, a two wheeler was observed coming from Wangjing side towards Khongjom.

As the two wheeler was coming closer to the frisking point, the combined team challenged the motor rider and other pillion riders to stop for verification.

However, they pushed down the motor cycle and started opening fire at the security personnel for their easy escape.

The security personnel retaliated and an encounter took place for about 7 minutes.

In the ensuing encounter, one of the UG suspects was killed while the other two managed to escape taking advantage of darkness.

After the encounter, search of the area also led to recovery of one 9 mm pistol, one magazine loaded with four live rounds of 9 mm ammunition and one Honda Activa, grey in colour without registration number from near the slain UG suspect, the SSP added.