Imphal, September 24: Three suspected KCP (MC) cadres were killed in a shoot out with a joint team of Imphal West police commandos and 16 Assam Rifles of the Red Shield Division today at about 7 pm at Thangjing Chiru located about 17 kms west of Patsoi police station.

In a statement, PIB (Defence Wing) said that based on specific inputs the joint team laid an ambush in the general area of Kotlien.

While the security forces were lying in wait they saw the militants approaching towards the ambush site.

The troops challenged them which led to an encounter said the statement and added that in the ensuing gun fight three militants were killed.

One AK-56 rifle with 11 bullets, one 9 mm pistol with four bullets and one hand grenade were recovered from them.

Police sources said that acting on a specific input, they rushed to the area and soon an encounter ensued in which the three suspected KCP (MC) cadres were killed.

The identities of the three are yet to be established and the bodies have been deposited at RIMS morgue.

Shot dead : Unidentified gunmen shot dead a 34-year old man at Haorang Keirel under Patsoi Police Station in Imphal East district today afternoon.

The victim has been identified as Keisham Ibomcha (34) s/o Chandramani of Tera Moirang Hanuba Leirak.

According to family members Ibomcha was a driver and he was picked up by the unidentified gunmen while he was angling in a canal near a brick field at Patsoi.

Police report said that Ibomcha was found shot dead near the culvert built over a canal of a Loukon in Haorang Keirel Khul at around 4 pm today.

There were three fatal bullet marks, one each on the back side of his right ear, right shoulder and back of his head.

The body has been picked up and kept at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital.

Identified : The Imphal East commander of the KRA (U) shot dead by Imphal East police commandos yesterday has been identified as Th Dhiren of Wangoo Sandankhong.