Imphal, July 1 -- At least four people, including a 72-year-old woman, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a suspected factional violence in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Monday, police said. The incident took place near K Mongjang village around 1pm, when the armed men ambushed a vehicle and shot three individuals from a point-blank range, killing them on the spot, a district police officer said, requesting anonymity, adding that an elderly woman passer-by caught in the crossfire later succumbed to her injuries. Among the deceased was Thenkhothang Haokip alias Thahpi (48), the deputy commander-in-chief of the Kuki National Army (KNA), the armed wing of prominent Kuki militant outfit - Kuki National Organisation (KNO), an officer aware of the matter said, requesting anonymity. Later in the day, United Kuki National Army (UKNA) claimed responsibility for the ambush on Monday. A statement by the outfit's information and publicity wing said: "Thahpi and his associates were 'punished' by the UKNA. Thahpi had previously killed UKNA PRO Satkhohao, another youth named Tamin Hunter, and approximately 30 others." Police are yet to confirm the claims. The UKNA is a splinter group known to have tense relations with the KNA, the officer added. The other deceased were identified as Seikhogin (34), Lengouhao (35) and the elderly passer-by Phalhing (72), the officer said. Police officers said at least a dozen empty 5.56mm ammunition casings were recovered from the spot of ambush, indicating use of sophisticated weapons. Police and additional security forces were rushed to the area, which remained tense following the killings, including that of a top commander of the militant group, with locals fearing retaliatory violence....