IMPHAL, Oct 26 - An Assam Rifles personnel, said to be a Junior Commissioned Officer, was killed when suspected militants ambushed a patrol party of 44 Assam Rifles at Khokai Lamkhai, under Chassad police station in Ukhrul district at about 9.30 am on Monday, sources said.
A gun battle raged between the two sides for half an hour, the sources said. The identity of the killed jawan could not be established till the report goes to press. Soon after the incident additional forces of the Assam Rifles launched a massive manhunt in and around Chassad area.
PTI adds: An Assam Rifles personnel was killed and two other injured in an ambush yesterday at Indo-Myanmar border at Satang village near Kotha, 18 km from Manipur�s border town Moreh in Chandel district, the police said.
The Manipur People Army (MPA) of the outlawed militant outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF) claimed they carried out the ambush, according to police.
A convoy of 24 Assam Rifles (AR) was ambushed at Satang village at about 6.40 am yesterday, they said, adding, the AR troops retaliated and the ensuing gun battle lasted about five hours.
The deceased AR man was identified as Paokhulet Baite (31), but the identities of the two injured AR personnel were yet to be ascertained, police said.
It might be recalled that night curfew has been imposed along the 380-km stretch of Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur�s Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur districts prohibiting movement of any person within five km of the international border for six months since October 12.
