Manipur: Self-styled SDFK chief dies in police encounter in Churachandpur
The self-styled commander-in-chief of the proscribed militant organisation Socialist Democratic Front of Kukiland (SDFK) was killed in a police encounter post-midnight on Friday, in the Churachandpur district of Manipur.
The Kuki tribal militant leader was identified as Letinthang Haokip alias Boithang.
According to an official release, the operation was launched by the joint team of 31 Assam Rifles and Manipur Police.
Based on specific input about the movement of the top SDFK commander along with an accomplice in Khominthang village in the New Lamka area of the district, the combined team rushed to the area and cordoned off a specific house.
As per police reports, an exchange of firing took place between the militants and the security forces, and Haokip was consequently gunned down.
Later the body of the commander-in-chief was recovered and sent for post-mortem examination, police said, adding that Lunkhosei Chongloi, who is said to be the bodyguard of Haokip, sustained bullet injuries and was subsequently hospitalised.
The release mentioned that the security team also seized three 9mm pistols with magazines, 2 hand-held radio sets, 282 rounds of 9mm ammunition and a two-wheeler from the house they had taken shelter in, which was immediately sealed off after the operation.
(Edited by Aparmita Das)
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