IMPHAL: A militant of a Manipur-based insurgent outfit has been gunned down by troopers of the Assam Rifles in Manipur.

The militant, who was โ€œengaged in extortion activitiesโ€, was killed after a gun-battle at Chotobekra village in Jiribam district of Manipur.

โ€œOn envisaging the threat of life to the locals by these insurgentsโ€ฆ Assam Rifles East launched a team to apprehend the insurgents,โ€ a statement stated.

โ€œOn reaching the general area it was noticed that some armed insurgents were attempting to escape from the area towards Sailkulphai,โ€ the statement added.

It further stated: โ€œOn being pursued by the troops of Assam Rifles, one of the insurgent opened fire.โ€

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โ€œIn retaliation to unprovoked fire, troops opened fire in self-defence and one insurgent was eliminated.โ€

Meanwhile, security forces have recovered: one 7.62mm AK rifle and 26 rounds of ammunition from the shootout site.

โ€œThis active and quick action by Assam Rifles saved innocent lives of locals which would have been endangered by the insurgents,โ€ the statement added.