IMPHAL, October 7: A town commander of the proscribed UNLF was killed during a gunfight between security forces and cadres of the proscribed UNLF at Nambol Kamong Mayai Leikai under Bishnupur district during the intervening night of October 6-7.
According to an official source, the incident happened when troops of the 18th Sikh regiment on getting information about the presence of some armed militants rushed to the area, however the militant cadres who were hiding there from before fired upon the troop. The troop also retaliated and the ensuing gunfight lasted for about 10 minutes.
Further according to the source, the dead body of one of the militant cadre identified as Bishnupur district town commander of UNLF s/s lt Yengkhom Sietabal alias Ingobi, 36, s/o Sarat of Mayang Imphal Kokchai, was found from the area in the aftermath of the gunfight.
Sources have further claimed that while one of the militant was killed the others taking advantage of the darkness fled from the scene, leaving the dead behind.
The troop further recovered one 9mm pistol loaded with 11 live rounds from the possession of the dead militant, sources added.
The dead body has been deposited at the RIMS morgue.
Meanwhile, family members of the dead militant have stated that Seitabal had left home since about 20 years back to join the UNLF.