NIA Arrests Suspected Finance Head of UKNA Linked to Deadly IED Attack in Manipur
NIA Takes Action in Manipur IED Attack Case
File image of the mortal remains of the two infant victims of the IED blast in coffins at RIMS, Imphal. (AT Photo)
Imphal, Aug 13: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a suspected financial leader of the banned United Kuki National Army (UKNA) in relation to the IED explosion that occurred on April 7 in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, located in Manipur's Bishnupur district, resulting in the tragic deaths of two children.
The individual taken into custody has been identified as S Palal Thadou, also known as Lalboi Singson. His arrest on Wednesday marks a significant development in the NIA's investigation into the incident, which also left another person injured.
Thadou was presented before the Special NIA Court in Imphal, where he was remanded to police custody for ten days, as stated by the agency.
The NIA indicated that this arrest is part of a broader investigation aimed at uncovering the conspiracy behind the bombing and identifying the network involved.
The case, initially registered at Moirang Police Station as FIR No. 23(4)2026, was taken over by the NIA on April 23 and re-registered as RC-04/2026/NIA/IMP under relevant laws including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The explosion on April 7 targeted a residential property in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, leading to the deaths of two young children and injuring another individual.
In response to the allegations, the UKNA has denied any involvement in the attack, labeling the claims as unfounded and misleading.
According to the Manipur Police, Thadou had previously faced arrests by the Churachandpur and Bishnupur police in different cases. During questioning, he reportedly confessed to being the finance head of the UKNA.
“In recent weeks, through thorough investigations combined with human intelligence and technical insights from digital forensics experts, security forces have successfully revealed subversive activities conducted by Thadou and other UKNA members,” stated the police.
Investigators have also allegedly connected Thadou to multiple violent incidents, including a bombing on December 16, 2025, in Tronglaobi, and a shooting incident at Molnom during the night of February 3-4 this year, along with other shootings in March and July.
He was reportedly involved in a shooting in the Kaprang area on July 4, just before Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh's planned visit to Churachandpur.
Authorities have also linked him to a shooting incident on March 26 and another incident involving a CRPF camp, based on the investigation details provided.
The NIA has stated that further investigations will concentrate on identifying and capturing additional individuals allegedly involved in the conspiracy and establishing the broader network behind the attack.