Imphal, April 14: Militants ambushed an Assam Rifles convoy near Kongkan village of Kamjong subdivision in Ukhrul district around 8 this morning as Operation Summer Storm launched by the army in Loktak lake continued for the third day today.

The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has claimed that it had attacked a convoy of the Assam Rifles in the area.

Ksh. Yoiheiba, the senior publicity officer of the UNLF, said in a statement that the Manipur Peoples Army (MPA), the military wing of the outfit, had ambushed the convoy and also attacked another group of Assam Rifles reinforcements from the nearby Nambisha camp.

It claimed that it had killed 14 Assam Rifles personnel and injured 10 others.

Assam Rifle spokesperson Lt Col Prasant W. said he was yet to receive the details of the incident.

The police were yet to rush to the sites of the encounters.

In another development, the army today handed over five more bodies of militants killed in the operation in Loktak lake.

The troops launched Operation Summer Storm on Sunday morning to flush out militants from the lake.

On the first day, the troops killed one militant and recovered three more bodies yesterday.

The troops today handed over five bodies of militants along with four AK-series rifles, one lethod gun, one hand grenade and live ammunition.

In their report to Kumbi and Moirang police stations, the troops said they had killed two militants at Khordak and killed three others at Keibul Chingmei last night.

Meanwhile, the lake settlers fled their homes out of fear of being caught in the crossfire and are now staying at a relief camp opened by villagers at Ithai Khunjao, a village on the fringe of the lake.

More than 330 villagers living on phum houses and hillocks inside the lake have left their homes since yesterday and are now sheltered at the relief camp.

The displaced villagers alleged that the troops forced them to work as boatmen during the operation.

Congress MLA representing Thanga Assembly constituency T. Mangibabu Singh visited the relief camp this morning. A human rights group from Imphal also visited the relief camp this afternoon.

Army spokesperson Col Rajesh Mishra said 11 militants have been killed during the operation.

Nine bodies were recovered and two more were caught in the phumdi (floating biomass) inside the lake.

He said 10 weapons, including six AK rifles, one lethod gun, three pistols, two hand grenades and explosive materials, were recovered till today.

He said no harm was caused to the Sangai population at Keibul Lamjao National Park during the operation.