Imphal: A district commander of banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was killed by the Assam Rifles (AR) in an encounter in the wee hours on June 30 at Napet palli in Imphal East district while three militants were arrested, official sources said.

AR sources said that a column of the UNLF led by P Sunil, district commander fired on the AR personnel. The security team retaliated and the exchange of fire lasted for about 20 minutes.

Two self-styled Sergeant Majors, who sustained bullet injuries, were arrested from the area under Lamlai police station. One body, that of district commander, P Sunil was recovered but the other militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

The sources said the AR recovered one AK 56 rifle, one US carbine and several rounds of ammunition from the militants.

Meanwhile, a police team led by Ibomcha Singh superintendent of police Bishnupur district, Manipur, arrested one underground militant who sustained bullet injury in an encounter between police and armed militants at Loktak area near Potsangbam village in Bishnupur district

Suspected militants also fired upon a patrol party of 37 AR along National Highway 39 near Khudengthabi village under Moreh police station on June 29 in Chandel district. There was no report of casualty on either side.

PTI