Manipur: Two United Kuki National Army (UKNA) militants were killed, and two others were injured during a gunfight with a joint team of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles in Manipur's Churachandpur district, according to officials.

Security forces have recovered arms and ammunition from their camp.

Based on intelligence inputs, security forces initiated an operation at Phaibong village in the Henglep subdivision on the night of August 29. The security forces established surveillance over a UKNA camp and began tactically closing in at 5 AM on September 2. The UKNA cadres opened "indiscriminate firing" approximately 30 minutes later, prompting the troops to retaliate with controlled fire.

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"Intel confirms 2 UKNA cadres neutralised and 2 injured," the Assam Rifles said in a social media post on Saturday night.

The United Kuki National Army (UKNA) is an armed outfit that is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact signed between the Central Government, the Manipur State Government, and various other Kuki and Zomi armed groups.

Arms Cache Recovered

A subsequent search of the camp led to the recovery of two MA rifles, one AK-56 rifle, one lathode gun, seven lathod grenades, 15 AK magazines, 371 AK-56 rounds, 601 MA rifle rounds, 172 SLR rounds, 15 combat uniforms and seven ammunition pouches.

Security forces are continuing search operations in the surrounding jungle areas.

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The encounter in Churachandpur comes after a major joint operation in the same Henglep subdivision at Khanpi village, where security forces neutralised four UKNA cadres in a gunfight. State authorities and the National Investigation Agency have also linked the UKNA to an IED attack in Tronglaobi that killed two minors while they were sleeping.

(With Inputs From PTI)