Kuki rebels. (File image)

Four militants belong to Kuki National Liberation Army (KNLA) were killed in an encounter with security forces in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district early Sunday morning.

Acting on a tip-off about a camp set up by the militant group, a team of Assam rifles troops, Army and police launched a joint operation at Hingojang on Saturday night.

During the course of the operation, the security forces came across around 12 armed militants and it led to a “chance encounter” on Sunday morning.

In the ensuing firefight, four armed militants were killed while the rest managed to escape, said a defence PRO.

Automatic rifles including those belonging to the AK series were reportedly seized from the possession of the slain militants.