Imphal/Bishnupur, Manipur: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested one person in connection with the improvised explosive device (IED) blast that struck a residence in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, Bishnupur district, on April 7 and led to the deaths of two minor children, an official statement said on Wednesday.
Accused identified and produced before court
The agency identified the arrested individual as S. Palal Thadou. The NIA said the man was produced before the Special NIA Court, Imphal, and remanded to ten days police custody.
The case had been registered at Moirang Police Station, Bishnupur district, following the attack in which unknown militants are alleged to have launched an explosive device from a hillside towards the residential area. The blast hit a house wall, seriously injuring three family members; two of the injured minors later died, the statement said.
NIA takeover and charges
The investigation was subsequently taken over by the NIA and the case was re‑registered on April 23 under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the statement added.
The NIA said that during the course of its inquiry the involvement of the accused, S. Palal Thadou, came to light. It described the arrest as part of efforts to unravel the larger conspiracy behind what it termed a terror act.
"Accused S. Palal Thadou was initially arrested by Churachandpur Police in connection with FIR No. 17(02)2026 and subsequently by Bishnupur Police in connection with FIR No 12(03)2026 of Phougakchao Ikhai (PGCI) Police Station. 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 statement said.
Evidence recovered at the site
Investigators also recovered an unexploded improvised RPG near the blast site, according to the statement. The presence of an unexploded projectile has informed the agency's decision to invoke the Explosive Substances Act and to broaden forensic and technical probes.
Previous police action and procedural steps
The NIA noted that the accused had earlier been taken into custody by local police: first by Churachandpur Police in connection with a separate FIR and later by Bishnupur Police in relation to another FIR at Phougakchao Ikhai police station. The agency said it has now taken him into its custody while it continues the investigation.
- Date of incident: 7 April 2026
- Re‑registration by NIA: 23 April 2026
- Arrested: S. Palal Thadou (first accused arrested in the NIA probe)
- Custody: Remanded to 10 days police custody by Special NIA Court, Imphal
- Recovered at site: Unexploded improvised RPG
What the arrest means for the probe
By invoking BNS, the Explosive Substances Act and the UAPA, investigators have widened the legal scope to address both explosive offences and alleged unlawful activities. The NIA's involvement signals that central agencies consider the incident to have implications beyond routine criminal investigation, potentially involving organised or cross‑border elements; the agency said it is working to "unravel the larger conspiracy" behind the attack.
Forensic teams are likely to examine the unexploded RPG and blast debris to trace origin, usage patterns and any linkage to weapon caches or militant networks. The NIA typically coordinates with local police, bomb disposal squads and forensic laboratories in such probes.
Immediate local impact and public safety
The blast and the deaths of two minors have heightened tensions in parts of Bishnupur district. Local authorities and security agencies regularly advise residents in affected areas to report suspicious activity and to cooperate with searches and cordons during ongoing investigations.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident site | Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, Bishnupur district |
| Casualties | Two minor children killed; one other person injured |
| Recovered | Unexploded improvised RPG |
| Legal provisions | BNS, Explosive Substances Act, UAPA |
The NIA has not released further details about other suspects or the alleged motive. Additional arrests, forensic findings and charges can be expected as the agency continues its inquiry and files charges in the Special NIA Court, Imphal.
Local residents and civil society groups have been asking for a thorough, transparent probe and swift legal action. The NIA's statement makes clear it intends to pursue leads to establish whether the incident formed part of a wider organised plan.
