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

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested S. Palal Thadou, the first accused in the Manipur improvised explosive device (IED) attack case that claimed the lives of two children and injured another person in April 2026. Thadou was apprehended in relation to a case registered by the NIA following the takeover of the investigation into the Bishnupur district incident at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Moirang.

The explosion, allegedly carried out by unknown militants, struck a residential house wall, causing severe injuries to three family members. Two minor children tragically died from their injuries, while another individual sustained injuries. An unexploded improvised RPG was also recovered near the scene. Initially registered at the Moirang Police Station, the case was re-registered by the NIA on April 23.

Thadou had previously been arrested by the Churachandpur and Bishnupur Police. The NIA has now produced him before the Special NIA Court in Imphal, where he was remanded to 10 days of police custody as part of the probe into the broader conspiracy behind the attack.