NIA arrests 3 in Himachal Pradesh police station IED blast case
Synopsis
Nearly seven months after an IED tore through the outer wall of a police station in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, the NIA has made its first three arrests — charging the accused under the UAPA. With windows blown out 40 metres away and a wider conspiracy still being mapped, the Nalagarh blast is shaping up as one of the more serious domestic terror cases of 2026.
Key Takeaways
The NIA arrested three accused — Mahavir Kumar alias Kaka , Ajay Mehra , and Manpreet Singh alias Mani — on 14 August 2026 .
The IED blast occurred on 1 January 2026 at approximately 9.40 am near Police Station Nalagarh , Solan district, Himachal Pradesh .
The explosion cracked windows of buildings including an Army canteen 40 metres away ; the sound was heard up to 400–500 metres .
The NIA re-registered the case on 8 May 2026 as RC-27/2026/NIA/DLI under the BNS , Explosive Substances Act , and UAPA .
The Special NIA Court in Shimla sent Mahavir Kumar and Mehra to 8 days police custody ; Manpreet Singh to judicial custody .
Investigation is ongoing to uncover the wider conspiracy network behind the attack.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday, 14 August 2026, arrested three accused in connection with the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion that rocked the premises of Police Station Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district on 1 January 2026. These are the first arrests made in the case since the NIA took over the investigation from local police.
What Happened at Nalagarh
The blast occurred at approximately 9.40 am near the outer wall adjoining the room of the Investigating Officer within the police station complex. The force of the explosion was severe enough to shatter windows of nearby buildings, including those of an Army canteen located 40 metres away. The sound of the blast was reportedly heard from as far as 400–500 metres.
The case was initially registered as FIR No. 02/2026 at Police Station Nalagarh. The NIA subsequently re-registered it on 8 May 2026 as RC-27/2026/NIA/DLI under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The Three Accused
The NIA identified the three accused as Mahavir Kumar alias Kaka, Ajay Mehra, and Manpreet Singh alias Mani. All three were produced before the Special NIA Court in Shimla. The court sent Mahavir Kumar and Ajay Mehra to eight days of police custody, while Manpreet Singh was remanded to judicial custody.
Wider Conspiracy Under Probe
The agency said investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals believed to be part of a larger network behind the attack. Officials stated that efforts are continuing to establish the full extent of the plot and the roles of additional suspects who may have been involved in the planning and execution of the IED explosion.
This comes amid a broader pattern of IED-related threats targeting security installations across northern India, underscoring the NIA's expanding role in counter-terror investigations at the state level. The Nalagarh blast, targeting a police station complex, is being treated as a deliberate terror act under the UAPA framework.
What Happens Next
With the first three arrests secured, the NIA is expected to pursue further remand extensions and conduct custodial interrogations to map the conspiracy network. The agency has not yet disclosed the suspected motive or the group allegedly behind the attack. Further arrests are anticipated as the investigation progresses.
Point of View
Even as the agency insists the delay reflects the complexity of the conspiracy. The identity and alleged motive of the accused remain undisclosed — a gap that will define public understanding of this case in the weeks ahead.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Nalagarh police station IED blast?
An IED exploded on 1 January 2026 at approximately 9.40 am near the outer wall of Police Station Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district. The blast was powerful enough to crack windows of nearby buildings, including an Army canteen 40 metres away, and was heard up to 400–500 metres away.
Who has the NIA arrested in the Nalagarh blast case?
The NIA arrested three accused — Mahavir Kumar alias Kaka, Ajay Mehra, and Manpreet Singh alias Mani — on 14 August 2026. These are the first arrests in the case since the NIA took over the investigation.
Under which laws has the NIA registered the Nalagarh blast case?
The NIA re-registered the case on 8 May 2026 as RC-27/2026/NIA/DLI under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
What custody did the court grant for the three accused?
The Special NIA Court in Shimla sent Mahavir Kumar and Ajay Mehra to eight days of police custody. Manpreet Singh was remanded to judicial custody.
Is the investigation into the Nalagarh blast complete?
No. The NIA has stated that investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals believed to be part of a larger conspiracy behind the attack. Further arrests are anticipated.
