NIA arrests first accused in Manipur IED attack case that killed two children

According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), S. Palal Thadou has been arrested in connection with an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Manipur's Bishnupur district that killed two children on April 7, 2026. The NIA stated that Thadou was identified as one of the accused in the case, which was initially registered at the Moirang Police Station before being taken over by the agency for investigation.

Thadou was arrested previously by the Churachandpur Police and Bishnupur Police, but the NIA has now taken charge of the probe into the broader conspiracy behind the attack. The IED was launched from a hillside towards the residential locality of Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Moirang, causing serious injuries to three family members, with two minors succumbing to their injuries. An unexploded RPG was also recovered near the site.