Indian paramilitary force kills two gunmen

IMPHAL, India, July 9 (UPI) -- Fighters with the Indian paramilitary group Assam Rifles Wednesday killed at least two gunmen loyal to a separatist group operating in northeast India.

PREPAK, or People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, is a militant organization demanding an independent Manipur state in northeastern India.

Troops with the Assam Rifles, the paramilitary force under the control of the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, killed two PREPAK troops in an afternoon raid Wednesday, the Imphal Free Press reported.

Officials recovered a loaded 9mm pistol and a hand grenade from one of the slain militants.

Defense officials said the militants fired on troops with the Assam Rifles and the two men were killed in the ensuing shootout.

Eyewitness reports say the gunfight lasted about 10 minutes.