(dpa) - At least six separatist militants were killed in a clash with Indian security forces near the border with Myanmar on Saturday, official sources were quoted as saying.
Troopers from the Assam Rifles raided suspected militant hideouts in the town of Moreh, which lies 120 kilometres south-east of state capital Imphal in the early hours of Saturday.
As the search was intensified, a militant group was spotted and six rebels identified as from the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) were killed, the Press Trust of India (PTI) said.
The forces also recovered arms and ammunition including automatic rifles, rocket and grenade launchers after the shoot-out.
Manipur is one of India's north-eastern states worst affected by separatist violence. Nineteen separatist rebel organizations are active in Manipur with demands ranging from secession to autonomy.
According to government data, more than 10,000 people have lost their lives to the insurgency in Manipur during the past two decades.