Petrol bomb hurled at ED office in Shillong; second govt building hit in two days
Synopsis
Shillong's ED office was targeted with petrol bombs in the early hours of 22 October — the second government building hit in two days and part of a months-long pattern that has seen police stations, health offices, and party offices struck across the city. Police have not yet established a common motive or linked the incidents publicly, even as central-agency premises are now in the crosshairs.
Key Takeaways
Two unidentified men on a motorcycle allegedly hurled petrol bombs at the ED office in Langkyrding, Shillong on 22 October 2026 .
No structural damage was reported; the security guard on duty was unaware until morning, said SP Vivek Syiem .
The attack followed a similar petrol bomb strike on the Health Department office in Laitumkhrah the previous day.
On 20 October , three separate petrol bomb incidents were recorded at Kench's Trace , Keating Road , and Laitumkhrah .
A similar wave of attacks in September hit the Directorate of Mineral Resources , Lumdiengjri police station , and other government facilities.
Police have not publicly established a common motive or confirmed whether the incidents are linked.
Two unidentified men allegedly riding a motorcycle hurled petrol bombs at a building housing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Shillong, Meghalaya, in the early hours of Thursday, 22 October, police said. The attack, which caused no structural damage according to officials, is the second such strike on a government establishment in the city within 48 hours — and the latest in a months-long pattern of suspected incendiary attacks across the state capital.
What Happened at the ED Office
The incident took place in the Langkyrding area of East Khasi Hills district. Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that no structural damage was reported and that the security guard stationed inside the building remained unaware of the attack until morning. Police are examining CCTV footage to identify the suspects, and a case has been registered. Patrolling has been intensified in the area, Syiem added.
The Night Before: Health Department Office Targeted
The assault on the ED office came just a day after a similar petrol bomb attack was reported at the Health Department office in the Laitumkhrah area of Shillong. The back-to-back incidents have raised fresh concerns over the security of government establishments across the city. On 20 October, three separate suspected petrol bomb incidents were also recorded at Kench's Trace, Keating Road, and Laitumkhrah, prompting authorities to step up security arrangements and intensify citywide surveillance.
A Pattern Going Back Months
The current wave of attacks is not isolated. In September, a series of strikes targeted government offices, police facilities, and vehicles across Shillong. Among the locations affected were the Directorate of Mineral Resources, Lumdiengjri police station, the Directorate of Health Services, and a police booth at Nongmynsong — all reportedly hit in incidents involving petrol bombs and arson. Those attacks triggered a security review and increased patrolling. Earlier, in August, suspected miscreants hurled petrol bombs at a National People's Party office in Shillong and a police outpost at Nongmynsong, amid heightened tensions following violence during a Khasi Students' Union rally.
Probe Ongoing, Motive Unestablished
Police have not publicly established whether the latest incidents are connected to one another or identified a common motive behind the attacks. Investigations are continuing, with authorities focusing on CCTV analysis and field intelligence to identify perpetrators and prevent further incidents. The repeated targeting of government buildings — spanning law enforcement, health administration, mineral resources, and now a central agency office — has placed Shillong's security apparatus under sustained pressure.
With a federal agency such as the ED now among the targets, the incidents are likely to draw central government attention to the security situation in Meghalaya's capital.
Point of View
Early-morning timing, no casualties, and no claimed motive. That combination suggests either a disciplined actor with specific aims or a copycat dynamic feeding on low enforcement deterrence. The absence of any public arrest or identified suspect across multiple months of incidents points to a serious intelligence gap that state authorities have yet to close — and one that now has New Delhi's agencies directly in the frame.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the ED office in Shillong on 22 October?
Two unidentified men on a motorcycle allegedly hurled petrol bombs at a building housing the Enforcement Directorate office in the Langkyrding area of Shillong in the early hours of 22 October 2026. No structural damage was reported, and police have registered a case while examining CCTV footage to identify the suspects.
Was anyone injured in the Shillong ED office petrol bomb attack?
No injuries have been reported. The security guard inside the building was unaware of the incident until the following morning, according to Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem.
Is this the first such attack on government buildings in Shillong?
No. The ED office attack is part of a series of suspected petrol bomb incidents in Shillong dating back to at least August 2026. Government offices, police facilities, and a political party office have all been targeted in separate incidents over recent months.
Which other locations in Shillong have been attacked recently?
Recent targets include the Health Department office in Laitumkhrah, and locations at Kench's Trace and Keating Road on 20 October 2026. In September, the Directorate of Mineral Resources, Lumdiengjri police station, the Directorate of Health Services, and a police booth at Nongmynsong were also hit.
Have police identified who is behind the Shillong petrol bomb attacks?
No. Police have not publicly established a common motive or confirmed whether the incidents are connected. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities relying on CCTV analysis and field intelligence to identify perpetrators.
