NIA Makes First Arrest in Manipur IED Attack That Killed Two Children

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made its first arrest in connection with an IED attack in Manipur’s Bishnupur district that killed two children, with police alleging that the accused was the “finance head” of the banned United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and linked to several other violent incidents.

The NIA arrested S Palal Thadou on Wednesday in connection with the April 7 attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Moirang town. The explosive struck a residential house after being launched from a hillside, seriously injuring three family members. Two minor children later succumbed to their injuries, while another person survived with injuries. An unexploded improvised RPG was also recovered near the site.

According to Manipur Police, Thadou admitted during interrogation that he was the finance head of the proscribed UKNA. Police said sustained investigation, human intelligence and digital forensic inputs helped security forces uncover his alleged activities and links with other UKNA operatives.

Investigators have also allegedly linked Thadou to five firing incidents and another bomb blast. Police said he was involved in a December 16, 2025 blast at Tronglaobi and firing incidents at Molnom on February 3-4, Kaprang on July 4, and other locations on July 4 and March 26 this year.

Thadou had previously been arrested by Churachandpur and Bishnupur police in separate cases. The NIA took over the April 7 investigation and re-registered the case on April 23 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

A Special NIA Court in Imphal has remanded Thadou to 10 days of police custody. The agency is now probing the wider conspiracy, seeking to identify other suspects and establish the larger network behind the attack.