Imphal: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested S Palal Kuki, the alleged self-styled Finance Head of the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA), in Churachandpur district of Manipur.
Kuki was arrested on August 12, 2026, from his alleged hideout in Old Gelmol village during a joint counter-insurgency operation conducted by Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, the Indian Army and the CRPF.
According to police, the arrest followed sustained intelligence gathering and investigation into the activities of senior UKNA cadres allegedly involved in subversive and terror-related operations.
During questioning, Kuki allegedly identified himself as the finance head of the UKNA. Investigators said digital forensic inputs, technical evidence and human intelligence helped establish his alleged involvement in several cases registered in Manipur.
Police said Kuki was linked to multiple incidents, including firing attacks, an alleged bombing and clashes with security forces.
The cases include a bomb blast at Torbung on December 16, 2025, and a firing incident in the Molnom area during the intervening night of February 3 and 4, 2026. He was also allegedly involved in a firing incident in Kaprang on July 4, 2026, ahead of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s visit to Churachandpur.
Investigators further linked him to incidents involving security forces in March 2026. These included a firing incident during a recce operation on March 25 and firing near a CRPF camp in Bishnupur district on March 26.
The most significant case connected to Kuki is the Tronglaobi bombing 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 bombing took place on April 7, 2026, at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district. A close-range explosion at a civilian residence killed two siblings, aged five years and five months, and critically injured their mother, Oinam Binita.
The NIA said the investigation into Kuki’s alleged role in the bombing and other cases remains underway. Further legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.
The UKNA is an armed insurgent group operating primarily in the hill districts of Manipur. The outfit is not part of the government’s Suspension of Operations agreement and has been accused of involvement in armed clashes, blockades, attacks on civilian locations and other militant activities.