The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested S Palal Thadou in connection with the April 7 IED attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Manipur’s Bishnupur district that killed two children, with police alleging that he served as the “finance head” of the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA).
Thadou was arrested on Wednesday in the case, marking the NIA’s first arrest in the investigation into the blast at a residential house in Moirang town. The explosion killed two minors and left another person injured.
Manipur Police said Thadou had previously been arrested by Churachandpur and Bishnupur police in connection with separate cases. During questioning, he allegedly admitted to holding the position of “finance head” in the banned outfit.
According to police, sustained investigation, human intelligence and interrogation, supported by technical inputs from digital forensic specialists, helped uncover alleged plans and operations involving Thadou and other UKNA operatives.
Police further alleged that Thadou was involved in a bomb blast at Tronglaobi on December 16, 2025. He was also linked to a firing incident at Molnom during the intervening night of February 3 and 4, 2026.
Investigators alleged that Thadou was involved in a firing incident in the Kaprang area on July 4, shortly before Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh’s visit to Churachandpur. He was also allegedly linked to other firing incidents reported on July 4 and March 26 this year.
The NIA took over the investigation into the April 7 IED attack and re-registered the case on April 23 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The agency said the arrest was aimed at uncovering the wider conspiracy behind the attack and identifying other members of the network allegedly involved in the incident.
Thadou was produced before the Special NIA Court in Imphal, which remanded him to 10 days of police custody. The NIA said further investigation would focus on identifying and apprehending other alleged conspirators and establishing the wider network behind the attack.
