Imphal, January 05: Four NSCN (K) cadres were gunned down by 14 Assam Rifles troops in a shoot out near Chandraman bridge of Kalapahar bazar under Kangpokpi police yesterday at about 9.30 pm.

PIB (Defence Wing) in a statement said that the four militants were killed during an operation that was carried out based on specific intelligence about the presence of three to four cadres of NSCN (K) who have been involved in kidnapping and extortion activities.

In a joint operation with the local police launched at the area the cadres were seen moving with their arms and were warned to stop by the security forces.

However the cadres opened fire on the security forces and during the ensuing fire fight four NSCN (K) cadres were killed.

One AK-47 Rifle, one Chinese pistol, two hand grenades, ammunition, Rs 3000 and incriminating documents including demand notes were recovered from the slain cadres.

The seized items and the bodies of slain cadres were handed over to the police authority, added PIB.

Police source informed that troops of 14 AR rushed to Chandraman village following a tip off that some armed elements had arrived in the village to extort money from the villagers which resulted in the gun fight.

The slain NSCN (K) cadres have been identified as Rockson of Khamson village, Darii of Phaibung Khunou, Jonah of Kodom village and Sapuni of Tungjoi.

It is reported that AR personnel recovered one AK 47 rifle, one 9 mm pistol, two hand grenades, Rs 3000 in cash along with ammunition and some documents from the slain cadres.

The bodies have been handed over to their respective family members after post mortem at Kangpokpi.

KNF states case: A statement issued by KNF clarified on the incidents leading to the shoot out recounting that several cadres of NSCN (K) were taking shelter and indulging in extortion, kidnapping activities and harassment of innocent civilians for the last one/two years within the operational area of KNF as a result of which they were twice taken into custody by KNF and released with warning.

Once again they were captured while indulging in extortion from shopkeepers of Kalapahar Bazar yesterday morning at around 11 but the captives were released at Kalapahar Bazar at around 5:30 pm on their assurance that such activities would not be repeated, added the statement.

Later in the day they were harassing civilians in the name of searching for their captors following which AR troops rushed to the area and the gun fight ensued resulting in the death of four NSCN (K) cadres, asserted the statement.

It also expressed their wish that understanding and negotiations be brought about among different organisations before carrying out any activities in others' operational area.

IM cadres held: Troops of 13 Assam Rifles arrested two NSCN (IM) cadres during a search operation based on a specific tip off.

In a statement, PRO of Assam Rifles said that during the search, one of the cadres was seen running towards a house.

The troops surrounded the house and on entering it saw the two cadres and six detainees, said the statement added that the six were being held captives by the detainees were found, said the statement and added that the six were being held captives by the IM cadres.

All the detainees were later released through the police.

The arrested cadres have been identified as SS Lt Phongphu of Phungyar in Ukhrul district and A Sema of Dimapur.

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