Imphal, September 12: Four personnel of the 19 Assam Rifles were killed while another three were injured when PLA cadres ambushed a convoy of the security force near Leishiphung village located about 12 kms east of Lamlai police station today at about 3 pm.

The deceased are identified as Havildar Man Bahadur, Havildar Kailash Prasad, Rifleman TC Basumataria and Riflemen Bidyasagar while the three injured have been named as Rifleman Rajendra Singh, Rifleman Biresh Deb Burman and Rifleman Mahendra Singh.

The three have been evacuated to the military hospital at Leimakhong where their conditions are stated to be stable.

However independent sources said that the condition of Surendra Singh is critical as he received bullet injuries on the waist.

Biresh Deb suffered bullet injuries on the right arm while Mahendra Singh was hit on both the hands.

According to information received here, the convoy was proceeding to the 19 Assam Rifles post at Shangshak from Imphal with provisions, including fuel in two vehicles.

As the Assam Rifles men approached Leishiphung village, the well positioned PLA cadres armed to the teeth opened fire at them using bombs.

The four Assam Rifles personnel were killed at the spot and the vehicles carrying the security personnel were substantially damaged.

The bodies of the deceased AR men are presently being kept at RIMS morgue.

Search operation was launched following the attack, but till the time of filing this news, there is no report of any arrest.

The PRO of PIB (Defence Wing) confirmed the incident and added that the security personnel did not lose any weapons in the gun fight.

UGs nabbed : Imphal West District Police Commandos arrested one ex-cadre of UNLF who is now a town commander of KRA from his own house along with nine demand letters of KRA at around 7.10 am today.

The arrested ex-cadre of UNLF (army no.089) has been identified as Takhelchangbam Dijamani Sharma alias Bosh alias Thanil (36) s/o T Chaoba Sharma of Khongman Mangjil Mamang Kongba Road, said SP Imphal West Clay Khongsai in a statement, while informing that the arrested individual is now Town Commander of KRA.

In the follow up actions, three more KRA activists were also arrested today, the SP informed.

The KRA cadres identified as Sapam Mobi Singh alias Max alias Achou (35) s/o late S Kulachandra Singh of Thangmeiband Lourung Purel Leikai was arrested from his own residence, Leishangthem Kumar Singh alias Tomba (46) s/o L Babu of Pukhao Terapur was arrested from Nagaram along with one 9 mm pistol with 6 live rounds and Waikhom Noren Singh (39) s/o W Nopur of Leitanpokpi was also arrested Nagaram, the SP informed.

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