IMPHAL, July 7: At least 25 Paiteis were killed and five others seriously injured when armed Kuki militants attacked a Paitei village near Singhat area under Churachandpur district in Manipur today.

Official sources said the militants also set ablaze and destroyed over 18 houses before fleeing to a nearby jungle.

Sources said the militants arrived at the village at around 1200 hours and opened fire indiscriminately on the villagers. As the villagers began to flee, the ultras set their houses ablaze. Security forces from Churachandpur and Imphal rushed to the spot and launched a combing operation to nab the ultras. No arrest has been made so far. BIHAR CLASH: Six persons were killed in an armed clash between supporters of the CPI-ML and Kisan Samiti at Jhumka village under Sikta police station of Bihar's West Champaran district today. The police have confirmed the killing of three Kisan Samiti supporters. The CPI-ML activists have accused the samiti's men of killing three of its members.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.