Imphal, December 30 2008: A combined force of Imphal East District Police Commandos and personnel of 39 Assam Rifles has reportedly killed the army chief and commander of highway task force of the proscribed KCP identified as Akoijam Shyambi alias Kokai Meitei during a shoot out which took place near Koirengei Lai Haraopham at around 6.15 pm today.

According to police report, following a specific information on the return of Kokai from outside Manipur and his plan to hold a meeting in Koirengei area, the combined force has been laying in wait for the last three days.

As the combined force was patrolling along the road connecting Koirengei with Maibakhul at around 6.15 pm today, they saw three unidentified persons moving about suspiciously near Koirengei Lai Haraopham located at a distance of around 6 kms towards north of Heingang Police Station.

When the combined force asked them to stop, the unidentified persons opened fire at the approaching security personnel.

In the retaliatory firing of the combined force, one of the persons was killed while the other two managed to escape.

The police report further said that there is every evidence that the slain person is the chief of the proscribed KCP identified as Akoijam Shyambi alias Kokai Meetei (52) of Mongsangei.

One 9 mm pistol loaded with four live rounds of ammunition have been recovered from the possession of the slain person.

Meanwhile, the body has been picked up and deposited at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital.

Kokai was a prominent member of the KCP.