The security personnel patrolling the area were fired upon by the suspected ultras at around 11:30 pm. In the ensuing encounter, seven 'militants' were killed, they said.
Several arms, including two AK-47 rifles, three 9mm rifles, two grenades and several rounds of ammunition were recovered from the spot. While four of the victims were in army uniform, the others were in plain clothes, the sources said.
The bodies have been taken to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital in Imphal for postmortem. Meanwhile, locals alleged that some of the victims were picked up from their respective houses before being killed. No senior security official was available for comment.