Imphal, May 14 2010: Five militants suspected to be Pakan Army were killed in a gunfight with troops of 21 Assam Rifles at Biru Khullen, some 23 km southwest of Chandel district headquarters, police as well as Assam Rifles said.

Pakan Army (United Liberation Army) is an armed outfit formed on September 8, 2009 by a break away group of NSCN (IM) and operating actively in Chandel district.

The five suspects were killed in the exchange of fire which lasted from around 12.30 am till 2 am police said adding that all the five dead bodies along with five arms, two AK-56 rifles along with 173 rounds of ammunitions and three M-16 rifles with 362 rounds of AK ammunitions.

A seal of the PRA Wing Commander, one pouch of ammunitions three jean trousers, five each towels and T-shirts, two full-shirt and some quantity of rice were also recovered from the clash site, police reports said.

A statement of the IGAR (S) said that the gunfight ensued when troops of 21 AR, launching an operation in the area on observing suspicion movement of heavily armed militants, were fired upon with heavy volume towards the troops.

The troops immediately returned the firing which resulted in the elimination of five militants.

Police suspected the five militants to be activists of the Pakan Army.

The dead bodies have been transferred at RIMS morgue by Chandel police this afternoon for identifications.

In other counter insurgency operation, Imphal east police commandos apprehended a PREPAK activist identified as Chingtham Dhupchandra @ Deko @ Ramesh (27) son of Kunjeshwar of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai from Nambol Chingmang Khoriphaba.

Two Chinese made hand grenades concealing at tin containers recovered from the nabbed activist.

A team of Thoubal police commandos also apprehended an overground activist of PULF during a frisking and checking operation near the YK College, Wangjing along the NH-39 today at about 1 pm.

He was identified as Md Kajouddin (51) son of late Sirajuddin.

He was engaged in collection of money from the contractors and government employees for the PULF (Umar Farooqu), police said.

Meanwhile, the identity of the underground activists killed by a troop of Assam Rifles near the international border pillar no.81 on last Thursday night was established today as one Heisnam Somorjit (32) son of Tomchou of Uyan Makha Leikai.

Family members said that Somorjit had joined the PREPAK some 12 years back.

He had left two children.

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