Second Suspect Held in Manipur Fuel-Station Bombing

Overview

• Security forces arrested Pukhrambam Bimol Meitei, 41, at Lamphel Sana Keithel in Imphal West and recovered an SMG carbine with four loaded magazines, a 9 mm pistol, two HE-36 grenades, detonators, and a two-wheeler.
• Police said Meitei is an accomplice in the Bishnupur fuel-station attack, bringing the number of accused in custody to two.
• An earlier arrest netted KYKL cadre Hijam Manichandra Singh, 35, from Komnao Makha Leikai in Kakching district for alleged involvement in the January 8 explosion.
• Investigators say militants on a two-wheeler hurled a bomb at the Elidas fuel station, causing significant damage but no injuries.
• Petrol pumps that shut in protest later reopened after talks with authorities, as wider security operations and a separate arrest of a KCP cadre continued across vulnerable areas.