The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an accused in connection with the improvised explosive device (IED) attack that occurred at a residential house in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, Moirang in Bishnupur district of Manipur. The incident took place on April 7, 2026, and resulted in the death of two minor children and injuries to another person.
The case was originally registered at Moirang police station following the attack, where unknown individuals launched an explosive device from a hillside towards Tronglaobi Awang Leikai. The explosion struck the residential wall of a house, causing serious injuries to three family members, including two minor children who later succumbed to their injuries. An unexploded improvised RPG was also recovered near the site.
The investigation was subsequently taken over by the NIA and re-registered on April 23, 2026, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. During the course of the investigation, the involvement of the accused, S. Palal Thadou, surfaced in the commission of the offence.
Thadou was initially arrested by Churachandpur police in connection with FIR number 17(02)2026, and subsequently by Bishnupur police in connection with FIR number 12(03)2026 of PGCI police station. The NIA has arrested him as part of its efforts to unravel the larger conspiracy behind the terror act, making him the first accused to be arrested in the case.
The accused was produced before the Special NIA Court in Imphal and subsequently remanded to 10 days’ police custody. Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other persons involved in the conspiracy and to ascertain the larger network behind the attack.
