Imphal, March 17 2010: At least two PLA cadres were killed and huge quantity of weapons were recovered today as clashes between the security forces and the rebel group occurred at two places.

The two PLA rebels were killed as the advancing troops of Assam Rifles backed by 12 Maratha Light Infantry engaged in gunfight once again near the Tolen village in Chandel district bordering with Thoubal district where clashes had reported at least four times during the past fortnight of this month.

The other clash between the troops of Maratha Light Infantry and the same PLA rebel group also reported interior area of Ukhrul district.

No casualty in the brief gunfight.

The clash that killed two PLA rebels took place with a combined force of troops of 15, 21 Assam Rifles and 12 Maratha Light Infantry a place 1 km south east of Tolen village of Chandel district Wednesday morning, at about 6.30 am, a police report said.

A huge quantity of weapons belonging to the rebels , two UMG (Universal Machine Gun), two Lathod Guns, one RPG (Rocket Propel Gun), one M-16 rifles, two AK-47 rifles along with huge quantity of ammunitions recovered from by the security forces after the gun battle that killed two rebels, police added.

A statement of PRO, IGAR (South) confirming the killing of two rebels to be those of Self Style Lt Nongleiba and Self Style Corporal Jack Meitei have been recovered from the adjoining forested areas of Tolen so far.

The operation was launched based on specific information regarding the presence of some armed cadres in the general area.

During the course of the search operations, a firefight triggered by the armed cadres broke out when they were challenged by a party of the security forces.

On termination of the firefight, a massive search operation was launched and the same is still continuing, the statement added.

The dead bodies have been handed over to Thoubal police, the source added.

Troops of 15 Assam Rifles recently replaced the 21 Assam Rifles at the border area of Thoubal and Chandel area have been fighting with the PLA rebels camping there since the first week of March.

At least four gun battle killing one AR man and injuring to another one occurred during the Yaoshang (Holi) festival.

Wednesday operation to flush out the rebels presence there was started from around 2.30 pm with the combined force entered the area from different directions which the rebels launched offensives at them.

The operation continued till around noon but the troops retreated from the area later declaring clear to the presence of rebels there, local reports.

The report recalled out from the locals further said that villagers of the nearby area displaced them when the clash erupted at about 3 am and took shelter at nearby safer places.

They have started back to their villages, the report added.

Reports of clash between the troops of 12 Maratha Light Infantry and rebels of PLA also reported at a place between Songphai and Kasong Khullen in interior Ukhrul district also come in Wednesday.

The clash occurred at about 7 am today and lasted for about half an hour, the report said adding that no casualties on both sides reported in the clash.

Meanwhile, a source from the state police intelligence said that the areas where the clashes occurred today is the stronghold area of the PLA outfits, one of the most powerful rebel group based in Manipur.

Rebels are concentrating in the area to carry out their activities against the government forces particularly in the valley areas to show their strength, the source said adding that earlier only around 80 rebel presence there.

But, they estimated more rebels gathered there to launch offensive against the government forces.

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