NIA arrests three more accused in two Manipur cases, including the Tronglaobi IED attack that killed two children and the 2024 CM convoy ambush.
Imphal, Sept. 29: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested three more accused in two separate cases in Manipur, including the April 2026 IED attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai that killed two minor children and the June 2024 ambush on the convoy of the Manipur Chief Minister.
In the Tronglaobi IED attack case, the agency arrested Thangmang Haokip, 48, of Churachandpur, making him the second accused arrested in the case. In a separate investigation into the armed ambush on the Chief Minister's convoy, the NIA arrested Jangminlun Singson alias Franky, 44, of Bethel, Churachandpur, and Thangjoel Haokip alias Thangboi, 21, of Gamphajang Tuibong, Churachandpur. They are the third and fourth accused arrested in that case.
The Tronglaobi case relates to an IED attack on a residential house at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, Moirang, Bishnupur district, on April 7, 2026. The attack seriously injured three members of a family, two of whom, both minor children, later died.
According to the NIA, unknown militants had launched an explosive device from a hillside towards the residential area. The device struck the wall of the house. An unexploded improvised RPG was also recovered near the site.
The case was initially registered at Moirang Police Station and was subsequently re-registered by the NIA on April 23, 2026, as RC-04/2026/NIA/IMP under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The agency had earlier arrested S. Palal Thadou Kuki on August 12, 2026, in connection with the same case. He is presently in judicial custody.
The involvement of Thangmang Haokip surfaced during the investigation. He was arrested by the NIA on September 25 and produced before the Special NIA Court-II, Imphal, which remanded him to 12 days of police custody.
The NIA said further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other persons allegedly involved in the conspiracy and to ascertain the larger network behind the attack.
In another case, the NIA arrested Jangminlun Singson alias Franky and Thangjoel Haokip alias Thangboi in connection with the armed ambush on the convoy of the Manipur Chief Minister on June 10, 2024.
The ambush took place on National Highway-37 near K. Sinam village in Kangpokpi district. Two security personnel sustained grievous injuries and government vehicles were damaged in the attack.
The case was initially registered as FIR No. 133(6)2024 at New Keithelmanbi Police Station. The NIA subsequently re-registered it as RC-11/2024/NIA/IMP on July 11, 2024.
According to the NIA, its investigation established the involvement of Singson and Haokip, along with other accused persons, in the planning and facilitation of the ambush. The agency also said the two accused had links with others allegedly involved in the conspiracy.
Both Singson and Haokip had previously been arrested by the NIA in another case, RC-24/2023/NIA/DLI. They have now been arrested in the Chief Minister convoy ambush case as part of the investigation into the wider conspiracy behind the attack.
The two accused were produced before the Special Court, Manipur (for NIA Cases), Thoubal, and remanded to eight days' police custody.
The NIA said further investigation would focus on determining their specific roles, establishing their links with other members of the alleged conspiracy and identifying and apprehending additional persons involved in the offence.
