Imphal, January 25: Amidst tight security arrangements taken up in view of the Republic Day celebration, security forces gunned down two suspected militants in Lamshang general area last night at around 11.45, informed a PIB statement.

The incident occurred when security personnel who were manning a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) at Lamshang area stopped a Maruti van (MN-04-5663) for routine checking.

As one of the security personnel approached the van after checking a bus parked in front of the van, the occupants inside the van fired at the security personnel injuring him seriously and began fleeing from the area.

The other security personnel positioned nearby immediately retaliated and a heavy encounter ensued for quite a while resulting in the death of two UGs.

Two AK 56 Rifles and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the slain UGs.

The bodies of the slain UGs and the Maruti van were later handed over to the Lamshang PS.

According to the police, a combined team of 19 Garhwal Rifles and Imphal West commandos gunned downed the two during a brief encounter at Taothong Lamkhai last night at around 11.40.Speaking to media-persons about last night's incident at his office today, Imphal West SP S Ibocha informed that one Naik Subedar of the Garhwal Rifles identified as Amar Singh was injured during the encounter with the UGs.

Two AK 56 rifles were also recovered from the slain UGs, added the SP.

Answering to a query from the mediapersons, SP Ibocha said that the encounter took place when personnel of 19 Garhwal Rifles and Imphal West commandos who were on frisking duty at Taothong Lamkhai were fired upon by occupants of a Maruti van when signalled to halt by the security personnel resulting in the injury of the Naik Subedar.

Immediately after the firing, the armed youths pressed on the accelerator and tried to speed away from the scene but the van hit a telephone post and lost control, added the SP.

The youths jumped down from the van and continued firing towards the security personnel for about 15/20 minutes.

In the ensuing encounter, security personnel who were equipped with night vision device gunned downed two UGs, said the SP.

Two AK 56 rifles with one magazine each, eleven rounds of live ammunition, seventeen empty cases and one Maruti van (Olive Green colour Regd No MN-5663 with photostat Regn book) were also seized from the duo.

Elaborating on the security arrangement taken in connection with the Republic Day celebration, SP Ibocha said that security personnel have been put on red alert and deployed at all strategic points and high rise building.

BSF and CRPF personnel have also been deployed in various parts of the city, added the SP.

He also informed that public will be allowed to enter Kangla Fort for witnessing the Republic Day function only from the western gate and all private vehicle will given parking space in front of Johnstone School and Sahid Minar.

According to reports received by the press, two suspected UGs were gunned down while three personnel of the 19 Grehwal Rifles were seriously injured during a fierce encounter between UGs and troops of 19 Grehwal Rifles near the Lamshang Lamkhai bridge last night at around 11.45, informed a source.

The incident occurred when personnel of 19 Grehwal Rifles who were conducting frisking near the Lamshang Lamkhai Bridge stopped a Maruti van for checking.

The occupants of the van who were shocked at the presence of the security personnel immediately fired at the troops and tried to flee.

However the security personnel reacted quickly and fired towards the van killing two occupants instantly.

One occupant however managed to escape.

Arms were also recovered from the slain UGs.

The van (MN )4/5663) used by the UGs was also recovered from near the bridge.

The owner of the van has been identified as one Laishram Nobinkanta of Lamshang.

The van is reported to have been hijacked by the UGs yesterday, added the report.

The bodies of the two UGs have been retrieved by Lamshang police and deposited at RIMS Morgue.

The two deceased youths received multiple bullet wounds all over their body.

One of the unidentified youth is clad in black T Shirt, black jacket and a grey pant while the youth is clad in white jersey, green track pant and addidas shoes.

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