Acting on a tip-off, personnel of 15th Assam Rifles battalion launched a massive search at Bongbal village under Yairipok Police Station yesterday during which they were fired upon by suspected Kuki militants.
The Assam Rifles personnel also returned the fire and exchange of fire lasted for more than an hour, they said, adding that there was no casualty on the side of the forces.
Casualty, if any, on the side of the militants was not immediately known.
The militants later fled to a nearby jungle.