Wednesday, October 5 2005 13:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Imphal: Altogether six insurgents have been killed and eight others arrested during the 'operation stringer' launched by the army personnel to flush out ultras from Karang island and nearby Loktake lake in Bishenpur district of Manipur since yesterday (Oct 4, 2005), a senior army official said today (Oct 5, 2005).

Talking to newspersons at Karang, about 45 kms south of here, Maj Gen Govind Dwivedi, GOC 57 Mountain Division, said several arms including sophisticated weapons were also recovered from the victims and their hideout areas.

Earlier reports had said three insurgents were killed on the first day of the search operation yesterday.

Maj Gen Dwivedi said bodies of the victims and arrested suspected insurgents were handed over to nearby local police.

He said no civilian was harassed during the search operation, which would continue in the Karang hill island for some days.

He said army would stay at Karang area till all insurgents were flushed out from the area. Some insurgents had reportedly escaped in small boats through Loktak, the biggest fresh water lake in northeast India. The army officials also displayed arms recovered from insurgents.