Imphal, October 27 2009: One suspected PLA cadre has been slain after a fierce gun-fight between a combined force of police commandos and Assam Rifles troops and a group of UG cadres at Phaoren Hills in Chandel district but located within the jurisdiction of Thoubal police station, this afternoon.

One AR personnel also sustained injuries in the gun battle that lasted for almost two hours.

The gun battle broke out when a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and troops of 34 Assam Rifles, acting on a specific information, moved in towards Phaoren Hills to the East of Salungpham at about 1 pm today, said a source.

The injured AR personnel was airlifted by an Army helicopter and evacuated to Leimakhong military hospital.

One AK 47 rifle was reportedly recovered from the slain UG cadre.

Later, on searching the area occupied by the UG cadres, a number of lathode shells were recovered.

It is reported that search operation is continuing in the surrounding area when this report was filed.

According to the estimates of security forces, at least two/three UG cadres might have been killed in the gun-fight in addition to possible injuries suffered to many others, added the source.

Another source contended that three security force personnel were among those injured in the shoot-out against a group of People's Revolutionary Army (PLA) cadres.

The source said the encounter took place when a combined team of 34 Assam Rifles and Thoubal district police commandos were headed for an inter-district border.

When the combined team of security forces reached Tolen hill between Maryland and Salungpham at around 12:45 the suspected militants fired at the security force team and thereafter there was an exchange of fire between the two parties which ended at around 3 pm, said the source.

One of the injured personnel is said to be in critical condition but it could not be officially confirmed.

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