Imphal, February 17: Two CRPF Constables were killed when well armed militants opened fire at a ROP party of the security personnel at Moirang Khunou bazar located about 10 kms south east of Moirang police station today at about 11.30 am.

The PLA has claimed responsibility for the attack and informed the press that all the cadres have returned safely to base.

The security personnel are attached to the D Company of the CRPF stationed at Ithai Barrage said sources adding that they were on foot with a vehicle following close behind.

As the foot patrol party were approaching Koubal Khunou bazar, the militants, who were obviously lying in wait opened a fusillade of gun fire.

Two Constables who were leading the foot patrol party sustained grievous injuries in the attack.

The CRPF personnel also immediately took position and returned fire, said sources.

On immediate receipt of the information, Moirang police personnel and IRB men rushed to the site of the attack.

Even as the police personnel reached the site, they saw a number of civilians being made to lie down on the ground by the CRPF personnel.

Some were also beaten up.

When the police personnel intervened and asked the CRPF men to free the civilians, the CRPF personnel turned towards them and tension ran high for some time, said sources.

However the civilians were spared from further beating.

As reports filtered in that the attackers had escaped towards Keibul in a red colored Tata, police commandos, IRB and CRPP men rushed to the area and conducted search operations late into the evening.

The two grievously wounded CRPF Constables passed away while they were being rushed to Moirang Community Health Centre.

The deceased personnel have been identified as Sapam Sanjit (23) son of Chaoba of Sapam Mayai Leikai, Kakching and Deo Singh Bisht (27) of Pangla village in Uttaranchal.

S Sanjit received bullet injuries on the waist and left leg while Deo Singh received bullet injuries on both the legs and hands.

The two bodies have been brought to RIMS morgue for necessary medical procedures.

Militants have been striking out regularly along Tiddim line especially in Bishnupur district during the last few days.

On February 11, Bishnupur SP Potshangbam Dhanakumar had a providential escape when well armed militants attacked his convoy at Khongjaorok.

Though the SP escaped unhurt four police Constables, one Assam Regiment jawan who was on leave and four civilians were injured in the attack.

That attack came even as security was beefed up along Tiddim line for the Chief Minister's visit to Saikot to inaugurate a number of power plants.

The CM was accompanied by his Ministerial colleagues.

Again on February 12, a fierce gun battle lasting for about two hours ensued between militants and police commandos at Ngangkha Lawai in the morning.

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