Imphal, May 24: Manipur police commandos shot dead three suspected militants at New Keithelmanbi, situated along National Highway 53, in Imphal West today.

The police recovered three grenades from them.

Acting on specific information on the presence of some militants on an extortion drive in and around the New Keithelmabi area under Patsoi police station, the police commandos moved into the area in four vehicles.

They encountered three youths who, on being challenged to stop, hurled two grenades at the police team.

The police shot dead one of them inside the house of P. Haokip, a-50-year-old resident of Keithelmanbi village.

The other two were killed 500 meters away. The identities of the suspected militants are yet to be ascertained. The bodies have been sent to the RIMS morgue.