NIA Case Absconder Among 8 Militants Arrested in Manipur

August 23, 2026

Imphal: Security forces in Manipur have arrested eight militants, including a declared absconder in a case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), during separate joint operations across five districts, officials said on Sunday.

The arrests were made in Thoubal, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Imphal East and Imphal West districts during coordinated operations involving the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and other Central forces.

The arrested militants are linked to various banned outfits, including the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP).

Eight militants arrested in coordinated operations

According to a police spokesman, the arrested militants were allegedly involved in various criminal and unlawful activities, including attacks on people, kidnapping, forcible collection of “subscriptions” and recruitment of youths into banned organisations.

Among those arrested were two self-styled captains identified as Thiyam Boycha Singh alias Balin, 28, of the PLA, and Chongtham Lukhoi alias Rakesh, 45, of the KYKL.

Police said questioning revealed that Thiyam Boycha Singh was allegedly part of the team involved in the ambush on Assam Rifles personnel and six others at Behiang in Churachandpur district on November 13, 2021.

He is the third accused in the case being investigated by the NIA and had been declared an absconder, the police spokesman said.

Arms, documents and cash recovered

Security forces also recovered arms and ammunition, along with several incriminating documents, subscription receipts, cash, seals, letterheads of banned outfits and other materials from the arrested militants.

The recoveries were made during the separate operations conducted across the five districts.

Meanwhile, security forces comprising Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Manipur Police have continued counter-insurgency operations across the state.

Security tightened across Manipur

The forces are conducting search operations and area-domination exercises in fringe, mixed-population and other vulnerable areas to monitor militant activity and maintain security.

As part of the intensified security measures, 111 nakas and checkpoints have been established across the valley and hill districts to monitor the movement of militants, anti-social elements and suspicious vehicles.

Security forces are also providing armed escorts to trucks and other vehicles transporting essential commodities along the strategically important Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).

Strict security arrangements and convoy protection remain in place along vulnerable stretches of the highway to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of passenger and goods vehicles, officials said.