Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, October 31:
Troops of the Assam Rifles shot dead two suspected underground activists in two separate incidents today, An underground activist, believed to belong to the PLA, was killed in an encounter with troops of the 7th Assam Rifles in the area of Nongkot, approximately 2 km from the AR post at Andro at around 1:30 pm this afternoon.
Official sources said the as-yet unidentified individual opened fire when challenged by troops manning a mobile check post and was killed in retaliatory fire.
The sources said the individual, who was riding in a truck moving from Thiyom to Andro, got down from the vehicle before reaching the check post, and moved away suspiciously and then started running.
When the AR troops chased and warned him to stop, he opened fire at them, leading to an exchange of fire that lasted for about ten minutes.
A 9 mm pistol with magazine and three rounds of 9 mm ammunition were recovered from the possession of the deceased.
In an earlier incident, one Laishram Basanta Singh, 33, said to be an activist of the UNLF, was killed in a shootout near Langthabal Kunja, under Singjamei police station, in the wee hours today.
Official sources said that he was picked up from his residence at Wangkhei Pukhri Achouba in the wee hours today, and died in an ambush while leading troops to a weapons hideout.
According to the sources, 50 rounds of AK-47 ammunition had been recovered from the courtyard of L Basanta's house, and he further volunteered to guide the troops to a UNLF hide-out at Khobin village.
One M-20 pistol with magazine, three live rounds of 9 mm ammunition, six live rounds of AK-47 ammunition, one fired case of 9 mm and three cases of AK-47 were recovered from the spot.
According to official sources, the fugitive, tried to escape from the spot and was shot dead.