An Assam Rifles convoy was attacked by heavily armed militants around 1 PM in Joupi Hengshi area of Chandel when the security personnel were returning after inspecting a landslide site in the interior tribal district, defence and police sources said.
The slain personnel belonged to 29 Assam Rifles.
It is suspected that two or more militant groups jointly carried out the attack.
More troops were rushed to the area and a massive search operation is underway, they said.
Subedar Baldeo Sharma was among the victims.
The Assam Rifles party was returning to their camp in Joupi after inspecting a landslide in the Holenjang village.