At least five, including four suspected Kuki militants and a village volunteer, were killed in a fierce gunfight that took place on Monday at Kadangband in Imphal West, sources said.
The village volunteer has been identified as one 28-year-old Saikhom Sanjitkumar Singh, son of retired army personnel Saikhom Rocket Singh of Uripok Achom Leikai, Imphal West.
Four kuki militants were also reportedly killed in the shootout. However, their identities could not be ascertained at the time of filing of this report.
Based on ground reports, the suspected Kuki militants started attacking bunkers constructed in the Meitei-inhabited areas along Kangchup foothill and Kadangband part one.
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The report adds that the Meitei village volunteers retaliated against the attack and the exchange of gunshots went on till early Monday morning.
After the initial exchange of fire, the village volunteers went into Kadangband to ward off the invasion and destroyed their bunkers. No casualties were reported in the initial gun fight.
The volunteers were successful in dismantling the Kuki militant bunkers constructed near Geljang Cemetery around 7.30 am.
The report continued that suspected Kuki militants started attacking the volunteers from several sides during their attempt to dismantle the bunkers. It added that the kuki militant also attacked the camp of the Assam Rifles at Kangchup range, following which the AR also retaliated in self-defence.
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Sanjitkumar was killed instantly during this heavy exchange of fire at Geljang cemetery and his body was recovered by a combined team of state forces and central forces.
A procession of mourners along Imphal-Kangchup road paid floral tribute to the young martyr. Meanwhile, a huge irate mob thronged the Imphal-Kangchup stretch blocking the traffic.
The body has been kept at RIMS morgue but no postmortem has been conducted yet.
