Imphal, January 25: With the recovery of the Maruti car used by the unidentified gunmen who opened fire at the police commandos while the latter were on frisking and checking duty at Chingmakhong under Singjamei Police Station last night, possible signs of casualties on the side of the attackers have been reportedly detected.

The white Maruti bearing registration number MN1K-1188 used by the gunmen was found abandoned with blood stains on the seats at Thongju Part-II Waikhom Khongnangkhong and was retrieved by the police at around 6 am today.

The said car was originally registered in the name of Jibanlata, wife of Kangabam Tikendra, the Councillor of Ward No.8 of Imphal Municipal Council but it was reportedly stolen some 4/5 years back.

Following detection of bullet marks and blood stains all over the seats of the car, police suspected that some of the occupants may have been injured in the retaliatory firing of the Police Commandos.

Consequently, the Commandos launched a massive manhunt of the injured gunman/men in all the private hospitals located in and around Imphal area today.

The injuries that one of the Commandos suffered on his forehead during the last night incident is said to be due to collision against a rock when he took cover.

Body taken : Along with identification of the bullet riddled body of a youth which was recovered from Langmeithet Lamkhai under Lamlai Police Station in the morning of January 20, the same has been taken away by his family members after post-mortem examination at RIMS morgue today.