Police shot dead an alleged member of a little known armed outfit, Kirat Mulbasi Swatantra Limbuwan, at Santhakra VDC in Taplejung on Tuesday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shanti Raj Koirala said the man, identified as Samir Limbu of Khejenim VDC-3, died in a shootout. Two officers also sustained injuries in the incident. DSP Koirala said the armed group first opened fire at the police patrol led by Inspector Devi Phago. When the police team returned fire and gunned down Limbu, the other members of the group fled the scene.

Police recovered an explosive device, gunpowder, military uniforms and Rs 14,000 cash from the incident site.

Two weeks ago, police had raided the hideout of  the armed outfit at Ikhabu VDC-4 and arrested one militant. Police had also recovered some weapons and their ammunitions from the scene.