Militant shot dead, arms recovered in greater Imphal area

A militant has been killed in an encounter with police commandos attached to Imphal West district of Manipur, police said today.Following a tip-off, the commandos stepped up frisking at a place between Ningombam and Mongsangei village in Imphal West district at around 9pm.During the frisking of passers-by, some persons moving in a suspicious manner were asked to stop for checking, the police said.When challenged, the militants fired at the security men.In the exchange of fire, an unidentified militant was killed while several others escaped under cover of darkness, the police said.One 9mm pistol, some live rounds and a grenade were recovered from the possession of the deceased.The body has been sent to Regional Institute of Medical Collelge and Hospital in Imphal for post mortem.At least 42 suspected militants have so far been killed in different militancy-related incidents in Manipur this year, sources added.