NIA Arrests UKNA Finance Head in Tranglaobi IED Case

Imphal, August 13, 2026: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an alleged senior functionary of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) in connection with the April 7 bombing at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district, in which two young siblings were killed and their mother was critically injured.

The accused, identified as S. Palal Kuki, son of Late Letjang of Molnom Village, was apprehended by a joint team of Manipur Police, Assam Rifles (AR), Indian Army and CRPF on July 23, 2026, at around 10:40 am, from Old Gelmol Village in Churachandpur district.

According to security officials, the operation was launched following reliable inputs about the presence of alleged hardcore UKNA leaders in the area who were reportedly involved in activities considered prejudicial to the security of the State and the nation.

During examination, S. Palal Kuki allegedly admitted to being the self-styled Finance Head of the UKNA. Police said that sustained investigation over the following weeks, combined with human intelligence, interrogation and technical indicators provided by digital forensics experts, helped uncover alleged subversive plans and operations carried out by him along with other UKNA operatives.

Investigators have linked the accused to several cases registered in Manipur.

These include the Torbung bomb blast of December 16, 2025, registered under FIR No. 167(12)2025 at Churachandpur Police Station; firing in the Molnom area during the intervening night of February 3 and 4, 2026, related to the formation of the Manipur Government, registered under FIR No. 17(02)2026 at Churachandpur Police Station; and a July 4, 2026 firing incident in the Kaprang area, allegedly occurring ahead of the Chief Minister's visit to Churachandpur, registered under FIR No. 66(07)2026 at Churachandpur Police Station.

He was also allegedly involved in the March 25, 2026 incident, described as the first recce of the general area and a firing incident involving CRPF personnel, followed by the March 26 firing near a CRPF camp in Bishnupur district, registered under FIR No. 12(03)2026 at PGCI Police Station.

The major breakthrough came when investigators allegedly established his involvement in the Tronglaobi case, registered as FIR No. 23(4)2026 at Moirang Police Station and subsequently taken over by the NIA as RC-04/2026/NIA/IMP.

The attack took place on April 7, 2026, when an improvised explosive device (IED) was allegedly launched from a hillside towards Tronglaobi Awang Leikai. The explosion struck a civilian residential house at close range, killing two young siblings—a five-year-old child and a five-month-old infant—and critically injuring their mother, Oinam Binita. An unexploded improvised RPG was also recovered near the site.

The case was initially registered at Moirang Police Station before the NIA took over the investigation and re-registered it on April 23, 2026, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The NIA has now arrested the accused in connection with the case as part of its efforts to unravel the wider conspiracy behind the attack and identify other persons allegedly involved.

The accused was produced before the Special NIA Court, Imphal, and remanded to 10 days' police custody. Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly involved and establish the wider network behind the attack.

Meanwhile, in a separate security operation on August 13, 2026, security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation at Kailenjang village under Senapati Police Station in Senapati district.

The recovered items included five SBBL guns, one 9 mm pistol, two Chinese hand grenades, 13 rounds of ammunition of different calibres and 33 empty cases.

Further legal action in both matters is underway as security agencies continue operations against armed groups and their networks in the state.

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