Imphal: Insurgents of the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today (Jan 16, 2004) ambushed a security patrol killing an Assam Rifles jawan at a place near the border town of Moreh in Manipur's Chandel district.

The security-men were taken by surprise as the insurgents disguised as roadside labourers opened fire at the road opening party (ROP) of the 37th Assam Rifles battalion personnel from both sides of the hill road, official sources said in Imphal.

In the ensuing exchange of fire that lasted more than two hours from 7.15 am, a jawan identified as Umesh Chandra was killed, the sources said.

The attackers later made good their escape and any casualty on their side was not known.

On receiving the news of the ambush, a strong police force from Moreh rushed to the spot and joined the police in the search operations. Two used magazines and 17 live rounds of AK 47 rifle and four fire caps were recovered from the area, the sources said.

A caller who identified himself as UNLF spokesman later told the local media that the attack was the handiwork of Manipur People's Army (MPA), the armed wing of the separatist organisation.

He said all the MPA members who took part in the ambush had returned to their camp safely.

Today's ambush was a major attack by the insurgents this year, official sources said.