Dimapur, September 10 (NNN): Two NSCN (IM) cadres were killed in a gunbattle with rival NSCN (K) at Athibung town in Nagaland today.

This was the fifth incident of factional clash involving both the factions at Athibung since April last.

Convenor of Ceasefire Monitoring Cell, �Brig� Phungthing Shimrang of the NSCN-IM confirmed the death of two NSCN (IM) cadres.

Phumthing Shimrang said the deceased were seriously injured in the clash and succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

They were yet to be identified.

The senior NSCN (IM) leader believed that two rival cadres might have also died in the incident.

According to Phungthing, NSCN (IM) cadres fired upon the two NSCN (K) cadres while the latter were collecting weapons from the site of the incident.

On the other hand, senior NSCN (K) leader Singson claimed that none from the NSCN (K) were injured or died in the clash.

He alleged that the incident took place when a group of NSCN (IM) cadres numbering around forty attacked an NSCN (K) group having similar strength with rocket launchers and other sophisticated weapons.

Sources said the clash, which started at around 6 am, lasted till 9 am.

Singson believed today�s clash could have been averted if the law-enforcement agencies and the chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Cell and Ceasefire Monitoring Board, Lt.Gen (Retd) RV Kulkarni had intervened.

Meanwhile, condemning the incident in the strongest of terms, the Kuki Inpi Nagaland appealed to all underground groups not to fight in public places �which endangers the life of the innocent�.

Bombs detonated: In all nine mortar (bomb) shells believed to be remnants of World War II were detected yesterday during earth work to construct a private house at Nungsai Chiru village which is located under Bishnupur police station.

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