Imphal: Two miscreants in combat attires were reportedly killed in an exchange of gunfire at a hotspot of the inter-districts of Imphal East and Kangpokpi on Saturday.
Two weapons including one AK 47 rifle and some rounds of ammunition have also been recovered from the slain individuals.
Two bulletproof vehicles belonging to the state forces were also damaged, officials said.
The trading of gun-firing occurred at the periphery of Itham Moirangpurel village in Imphal East district and Kamu Seijang village in Kangpokpi district from around 8:30 am till 11 am.
The encounters between the suspected tribal miscreants and Meitei village volunteers were halted with the enforcement of the state forces at the spot.
According to reports, the armed tribals descended from Kamu Seijang Kuki hill range attacking the last Meitei villages at Itham Moirangpurel.
The Meitei volunteers also returned the gun firing lasting the encounters around 1:30 hours.
The enforcement of the state police commandos forced the tribal attackers to flee from the scene and return to their Kamu Seijang Kuki village.
The reports said that the identities of the slain persons are yet to be established and recovered weapons were reportedly deposited at the concerned police station.
This is the third consecutive day of intermittent exchange of gunfire between the two warring groups on Saturday.
After a lull of gunfire for about a month, the two ethnic groups resorted to violence that started on May 3, 2023, and cost the lives of over 222 individuals on both sides.
Notably, on Friday, three Meitei village volunteers sustained bullet injuries in exchange for gun firing with the tribals at an area of Ishingchaibi village, Thobual district, and Pengang Kuki village in Tengnoupal district.