Imphal, Feb. 20: Militants of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ambushed and killed a top police commando along with three others in a meticulously planned attack in Manipur’s Thoubal district this afternoon.

Nongthombam Lokhon Singh, the officer-in-charge of police commando station of Thoubal district, was the militants’ prime target.

The commando was one of the most decorated police officers of Manipur, having won several gallantry awards for successful counter-insurgency operations.

He had survived another attempt on his life by militants some years ago in Imphal East district.

A spokesperson for the PLA called up a local news office and claimed responsibility for the attack. This is the second major rebel strike in recent weeks on policemen. The IGP (intelligence), T. Thangthuam, was gunned down in Bishenpur district on New Year’s eve.

At 3.20 pm, a police team headed by Lokhon Singh was frisking suspects near a bridge at Thoubal Bazaar when three militants on a motorbike fired at them from automatic weapons.

Three of the policemen, including the -C, died on the spot while another cop, who was seriously wounded, died at Imphal’s Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital later in the evening. Two other wounded personnel were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here with serious bullet injuries.

One militant was also killed as the policemen retaliated. A 9mm pistol and two hand grenades were found on the slain rebel. The police said the other two militants fled on the motorbike.

As soon as the news broke, police reinforcements were rushed from neighbouring Bishenpur district and Thoubal to launch a hunt for the insurgents.

Half-an-hour later, another police team had an encounter with militants at Uchiwa in Imphal West district under Mayang Imphal police station. The police said two motorcycle-borne gunmen first hurled a grenade at a police team and then opened fire before fleeing.

However, no one was injured in the attack. The police team gave chase but the militants managed to escape, dumping the motorcycle after speeding some distance. A hunt for the militants was launched in the area but no arrests were made.

Bishenpur blast

A bomb planted by militants exploded at Bishenpur bazar this morning.

No one was injured, but security reinforcements were rushed to the site.

The police said militants used a remote-controlled device to trigger the blast at 8 am today, two hours ahead of a function to be attended by water supply minister Govindas Konthoujam at a nearby location.

The bomb exploded minutes after a security convoy crossed the spot, the police added.