Ten accused were arrested in joint NIA-Manipur Police raids across Manipur in connection with major cases including the Ukhrul PNB robbery, arms loot, Jiribam killings, Naransena CRPF attack and CM convoy ambush.
Imphal, June 19: In a major breakthrough in several high-profile investigations linked to Manipur's prolonged conflict and security crisis, 10 accused persons were arrested during coordinated raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) across multiple districts of the state.
The arrests were made during joint operations carried out in areas including Churachandpur, Imphal and Ukhrul. According to a statement posted by Manipur Police on X on Friday, the accused are connected to a series of cases being investigated by the NIA, including the Rs 18.85 crore Punjab National Bank robbery in Ukhrul, the 5th India Reserve Battalion arms loot case, the murder of a Hmar woman in Jiribam, the abduction and killing of civilians, the deadly attack on CRPF personnel at Naransena and the ambush on the Chief Minister's convoy.
10 (ten) accused persons were arrested in NIA cases in joint raids by combined teams of Manipur Police, NIA and CRPF at various districts including but not limited to Churachandpur, Imphal and Ukhrul. The cases include Ukhrul PNB bank robbery case, 5th IRB arms loot case, murder…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 19, 2026
The operation represents one of the most significant coordinated crackdowns undertaken by central and state agencies in recent months as authorities continue efforts to identify and prosecute individuals involved in some of the most serious incidents reported since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
According to a statement issued by the National Investigation Agency on Friday, the arrests were made during coordinated multi-location search operations conducted in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Chandel and Pherzawl districts. The operation was carried out jointly by the NIA, Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The NIA said investigations in multiple cases had revealed the active involvement of the arrested individuals in incidents linked to the ethnic violence in Manipur. These included attacks on security forces, looting of arms and ammunition, bank robberies and other acts of violence reported during the period of unrest.
The agency stated that the raids were based on extensive intelligence gathering, technical analysis and field investigations carried out over several months. The operation was aimed at identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in criminal and terrorist activities, irrespective of community affiliations, the statement said.
10 accused have been arrested in a coordinated joint operation with Manipur Police & CRPF in various cases of ethnic violence in the north-eastern state, involving attacks on security forces, looting of arms & ammunition, and bank robberies. pic.twitter.com/YNDTYRv168
— NIA India (@NIA_India) June 19, 2026
Among the cases linked to the latest arrests is the sensational robbery at the Punjab National Bank branch in Ukhrul on November 30, 2023. Investigators have alleged that around 10 heavily armed and masked men stormed the bank shortly after business hours through a staff entrance, overpowered security personnel and confined employees inside the premises before accessing the strong room.
The assailants escaped with Rs 18.85 crore in cash, making it one of the largest bank robberies ever reported in Manipur. The NIA later took over the investigation and alleged that cadres of the NSCN (IM)'s eastern flank were involved in carrying out the heist. According to investigators, the operation was allegedly masterminded by NSCN (IM) leader P. Joseph, also known as P. Jackson, with the objective of raising funds for the procurement of sophisticated weapons for militant activities in Myanmar.
The latest raids also relate to the 5th India Reserve Battalion arms loot case that occurred on February 13, 2024. In that incident, a large mob stormed the 5th IRB headquarters at Chingarel Tezpur in Imphal East district and looted approximately 300 weapons and a large quantity of ammunition from the armoury.
The breach was widely regarded as one of the most serious security lapses during the ongoing unrest. Following the incident, six individuals were arrested and several looted weapons, including INSAS rifles and an AK Ghatak rifle, were recovered. Seven IRB personnel were suspended for negligence and dereliction of duty. The Ministry of Home Affairs later transferred the investigation to the NIA in July 2025 to examine the wider conspiracy behind the arms theft.
Another case connected to the arrests concerns the killing of 31-year-old Hmar woman Zosangkim, a teacher at a Christian missionary school in Zairawn village of Jiribam district. An autopsy report stated that she suffered extensive burn injuries and died from third-degree burns. Given the seriousness of the crime and its alleged links to extremist violence, the case was taken over by the NIA under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Earlier on October 19, 2024, armed militants launched coordinated attacks on Borobekra Police Station and a nearby CRPF bunker using sophisticated firearms and crude explosives. Less than a month later, on November 11, militants again attacked Borobekra Police Station and the adjoining Jakuradhor CRPF camp with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. Ten suspected militants were killed in the ensuing encounter with CRPF personnel.
It was also one of the most shocking incidents reported during the Jiribam violence in November 2024—the abduction and killing of six Meetei civilians, including three women and three children.
The victims had been sheltering near a CRPF camp and Borobekra Police Station when they were abducted by armed Kuki militants during a fierce gun battle between security forces and militants on November 11, 2024. The abducted individuals included elderly woman Yumrembam Rani Devi, two adult women and three children, one of whom was only 10 months old.
Between November 15 and 18, the heavily mutilated bodies of the victims were recovered from the Jiri and Barak rivers along the Manipur-Assam border. Investigators reported signs of severe torture, gunshot injuries, missing eyes and smashed skulls. The killings sparked widespread outrage across Manipur and prompted mass protests demanding justice. The NIA subsequently took over the case, leading to the arrest of key suspects in Assam and Mizoram during 2025.
Another major case included in the crackdown is the deadly attack on CRPF personnel at Naransena in Bishnupur district during the night of April 26-27, 2024. According to police, armed militants descended from adjoining hill areas and launched a coordinated assault on a CRPF outpost manned by personnel of the 128th Battalion. Security forces returned fire, resulting in an exchange that lasted several minutes. During the attack, Sub-Inspector N. Sarkar of Assam and Head Constable Arup Saini of West Bengal were killed, while Inspector Jadab Das and Constable Md. Aftab Ul Hussain sustained injuries. Investigators later recovered unexploded Chinese-made hand grenades from the site and suspected that an explosion caused by one such grenade contributed to the casualties.
The raids also covered the investigation into the ambush on the advance security convoy of the then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on June 10, 2024.
The convoy was travelling along National Highway-37 near T. Laijang village in Kangpokpi district to make arrangements for the Chief Minister's proposed visit to violence-hit Jiribam when armed assailants opened fire. Although the Chief Minister was not travelling in the convoy, one security personnel and a civilian driver sustained bullet injuries. The attack triggered extensive search operations involving Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and other security agencies.
Officials have not yet disclosed the identities of all 10 persons arrested during the latest operation or clarified the specific role of each accused in the various cases. However, investigators believe the arrests could provide crucial leads in several ongoing probes involving militant activities, organised violence, attacks on security forces and crimes that have intensified tensions in the state.
The NIA said it expects the arrests to provide crucial leads regarding the planning, execution and support networks behind several major incidents under investigation. The agency is also examining possible links between different cases, including the involvement of insurgent groups, facilitators and other individuals connected to the violence.
Authorities indicated that further arrests and searches may follow as investigators continue examining evidence gathered during the coordinated operations. The NIA and state police are expected to intensify efforts to unravel wider networks behind the incidents as the cases move forward through the judicial process.
