Imphal, August 23: A combined force of Thoubal Police Commandos and 34 Assam Rifles shot dead a suspected underground activist of PULF after a brief encounter along Thongtabi Lambi near NRL Oil Pump, NH-39 in Thoubal district yesterday.

One point 33 hand grenade, one demand letter of PULF signed as Miyamgi Mustaqe Ali and eight empty cases of 9 mm ammunition have also been reportedly from the site of the encounter.

According to a statement issued by SP of Thoubal District in connection with the yesterday's shoot out today, at around 8 pm yesterday, a joint team of Thoubal Police Commandos and 34 Assam Rifles was conducting frisking and checking at strategic places based on specific information about the movement of armed cadres of PULF in the general area of Thoubal Bazar and Haokha village.

At about 8.45 pm, three youths were observed coming out from Haokha western side of near NRL Oil Pump, NH-39.On seeing the presence of security force, the youths stealthily turned back.

Suspicious of the nature, the commandos asked them to stop for verification.

However, instead of stopping, they opened fire at the commandos and started running towards Haokha village.

The combined force retaliated the firing and in the ensuing exchange of firing which lasted for about 5 minutes, one of the youths was shot dead along the Thongtabi Lambi near NRL Oil Pump while the others managed to escape by taking coverage of darkness.

The SP further informed that earlier during the day yesterday, acting on specific information Commandos of Thoubal district arrested one ZRA money collector from Yairipok Laimanai village at about 2 pm.

The arrested ZRA activist has been identified as Arambam Hera Singh (26) s/o A Ibomcha Singh of Yairipok Laimanai Arambam Leikai.

The Commandos of Thoubal district also arrested one KCP (Sengoi faction) identified as Kongjengbam Ibungo Singh (25) s/o K Shyamjai Singh of Wangjing Lamding Cherapur during frisking and checking at Wangjing Bazar at about 6 pm yesterday, the SP added.