Five killed in Manipur encounter

IMPHAL, April 24 ? Five persons including three civilians were killed during an encounter between the BSF and militants at Sugnu area in Manipur?s Thoubal district, DIG BSF PK Misra said on Wednesday, reports PTI. Earlier reports had said four persons including two civilians were killed in the encounter which lasted for over an hour on Tuesday. Two underground members were also killed in the encounter. Two others were injured during the exchange of fire, police said. The bodies of the dead and the injured persons were taken away by the underground members. Misra said in a statement that an activist of the banned People?s Liberation Army identified as Thongjam Ibohou alias Sanatomba was arrested during the exchange of fire. Police said they have received complaints from local residents that the three civilians ? a father and his two daughters ? were allegedly killed with BSF guards at the 2nd BSF battalion post at Sugnu opened fire after hearing gunshots in the nearby area on Tuesday. The incident occurred when about 60 PLA activists were trying to cross to Myanmar border from Thoubal and Chandel districts of Manipur, the police said.