The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested S. Palal Kuki alias Lalboi Singson, an alleged Finance Head of the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA), in connection with the April 7, 2026 bomb attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district, which killed two minor siblings and critically injured their mother.

According to the NIA, the arrested accused is S. Palal Kuki, son of late Letjang of Molnom village in Churachandpur district. He was apprehended on July 23, 2026, from Old Gelmol village in Churachandpur during a joint counter-insurgency operation conducted by Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, Indian Army and CRPF.

During interrogation, Palal allegedly admitted to being the Finance Head of UKNA, according to the police. Investigators subsequently linked him to several cases involving alleged subversive activities in different parts of the state.

Linked to Multiple Cases

According to investigators, Palal has been linked to the December 16, 2025 Torbung bomb blast, firing in the Molnom area during the intervening night of February 3 and 4, 2026, and the July 4 firing in Kaprang ahead of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s visit to Churachandpur to attend the funeral of late MLA Vungzagin Valte.

He was also allegedly involved in firing incidents involving CRPF personnel in March 2026, investigators said.

A significant breakthrough came during the investigation when Palal was allegedly found to be one of the key persons involved in the Tronglaobi bomb attack case, initially registered as FIR No. 23(4)2026 at Moirang Police Station and subsequently taken over and re-registered by the NIA as RC-04/2026/NIA/IMP.

Two Children Killed in Tronglaobi Attack

The April 7 attack involved an explosive device allegedly launched towards a civilian house at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai. The blast killed two young siblings—a five-year-old child and a five-month-old infant—and critically injured their mother, Oinam Binita.

The incident had triggered widespread concern and condemnation, with security agencies subsequently intensifying investigations into the perpetrators and the network allegedly behind the attack.

10-Day NIA Custody

Following his arrest by the NIA, S. Palal Kuki was produced before the Special NIA Court in Imphal on August 12. The court remanded him to 10 days of police custody.

The NIA has said that further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly involved in the Tronglaobi attack and to uncover the wider network behind the incident.