India, Nov. 4 -- At least four cadres of the banned Kuki underground outfit United Kuki National Army (UKNA) were killed and one was arrested in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Tuesday during a gunfight between the militant group and security personnel comprising 21 Para Special Forces and 36 Assam Rifles, officials said.

According to a statement issued by the Assam Rifles PRO, the encounter broke out around 6am during an intelligence-based operation in Khanpi village under Henglep sub-division, about 80km west of Churachandpur town.

"During the operation, the militant group resorted to unprovoked firing on the security forces. In the ensuing firefight between the troops and armed cadres of UKNA, a non-SoO (Suspension of Operation) ...