NIA Files Charges Against Three PLA Militants for Assam Rifles Ambush in Manipur
Synopsis
The NIA has charged three PLA militants in connection with a deadly ambush that claimed the lives of two Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur. This incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the region.
Key Takeaways
NIA charges three PLA militants.
Ambush resulted in two deaths.
Charges include multiple serious offenses.
The incident occurred on September 19, 2025.
Investigation is ongoing.
New Delhi/Imphal, March 18 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially submitted a charge sheet against three members of the outlawed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) terrorist organization concerning the ambush on an Assam Rifles vehicle in Manipur last year, which resulted in the tragic deaths of two paramilitary personnel, the agency reported.
This charge sheet was presented to the NIA Special Court in Imphal and implicates the three accused under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
The individuals accused are identified as Thongram Sadananda Singh, also known as Ngachik or Purakpa, Khundongbam Oji Meitei, referred to as Keilal, and Irengbam Jugindra Meitei, known as Jugin Meitei, all residents of Manipur. They were previously apprehended by law enforcement.
The ambush targeting an Assam Rifles truck occurred on September 19, 2025, at Nambol Sabal Leikai in the Bishnupur district.
Investigators have determined that this ambush was orchestrated by PLA militants as part of a broader scheme to instill fear within the populace and to engage in acts of war against the state with the objective of causing instability in the nation, according to a statement from the NIA.
The NIA's investigation revealed that on the day of the ambush, armed PLA militants, equipped with banned firearms and explosive devices, gathered at the Nambol Sabal Leikai intersection and executed a coordinated attack on the vehicle. The assault caused significant damage to the truck, leading to the deaths of two Assam Rifles personnel and injuring five others critically.
Since assuming control of the case from the local police in November 2025, the NIA has indicated that further inquiries are ongoing.
Post-attack statements from police officials indicated that the Assam Rifles team was returning from flood relief missions in the Imphal Valley when insurgents ambushed their convoy along National Highway-2 in Bishnupur district. The personnel who lost their lives in this incident were Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung, aged 59, from Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap, aged 36, from Bastar district in Chhattisgarh.
Point of View
Highlighting the urgent need for effective security measures and community engagement to ensure public safety.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What incident led to the NIA filing charges?
The NIA filed charges in relation to an ambush on an Assam Rifles vehicle in Manipur that resulted in the deaths of two personnel.
Who are the accused in this case?
The accused are Thongram Sadananda Singh, Khundongbam Oji Meitei, and Irengbam Jugindra Meitei, all of whom are from Manipur.
What laws are the accused charged under?
The accused are charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the UAPA.
When did the ambush occur?
The ambush occurred on September 19, 2025.
What was the outcome of the ambush?
The ambush resulted in the deaths of two Assam Rifles personnel and left five others severely injured.
