Militant shot dead, three hurt in grenade attack

IMPHAL, Aug 31: A suspected militant has been gunned down by a combined security team while three persons including a retired taxation inspector sustained splinter injuries in a grenade blast.
The shooting incident in which one suspected militant was killed occurred late this evening around 8.30pm at Ngariyan Hill range near Andro police station while the grenade blast occured earlier this evening around 6.30pm at Chingmeirong.
According to a police source, the Ngariyan incident occurred when a combined team of CDO Thoubal and 28 AR troops were engaged in an encounter in which the suspected militant was killed.
The combined team recovered one 9mm pistol along with 10 live rounds from the possession of the deceased. Police have retrieved the dead body from the spot.
In the grenade blast at Chingmeirong, a retired taxation inspector and two persons sustained splinter injuries as unidentified person suspected to be militants hurled a grenade which exploded at the residence of the retired government official.
The incident occurred this evening around 6.30pm at the residence of retired taxation inspector Wangkhem Modhu Singh, 62, of Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai near Arun Enterprises under Lamphel police station.
The grenade exploded leading to splinter injuries to three persons including Modhu Singh, who was hit at his legs.
Two other persons who are staying at the rented rooms of Modhu Singh also sustained splinter injuries. They are identified as Laishram Deven, 50, son of Birmangol of Awang Ngairangbam who is staying at Modhu Singh’s rented room. Deven is said to be a forest guard of the state forest department.
The third injured person  is identified as Khuraijam Tiken, 31, son of Kh Imoba of Waikhong, Thoubal who is an autorikshaw driver residing at the rented room of Modhu Singh.
All of the injured were rushed to Raj Polyclinic, North AOC, however their condition is stated to be not serious.
According to police, the grenade could have been hurled from outside the residential compound of Modhu Singh and fell at the courtyard of the house and exploded leading to splinter injuries to the three persons. Police has registered a case in connection with the blast and started investigating the case.
Family sources, in the meantime, revealed that there has been a monetary demand of Rs. 10 lakhs from KCP(Noyon) faction.