Assam Rifles, Manipur Police hunt ends with arrest of NIA-wanted insurgent group PLA ‘captain’
NIA-wanted PLA cadre apprehended in Thoubal. (Image courtesy: X/@official_dgar)
New Delhi: Assam Rifles and Manipur Police have arrested a high-value cadre of the outlawed insurgent group People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Manipur’s Thoubal district. The 28-year-old, identified as self-styled PLA captain Thiyam Boycha Singh alias Balin, was apprehended from Ushoipokpi on August 22 during a joint intelligence-based operation.
The operation followed sustained intelligence inputs and cybertracking that helped security forces locate Singh. According to an Assam Rifles post on X, he was an active PLA cadre wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and carried a bounty of ₹4 lakh.
Singh is a key accused in the November 13, 2021, Churachandpur ambush in which seven people, including an Assam Rifles commanding officer and his family, were killed.
A convoy of 46 Assam Rifles was attacked near Behiang in Churachandpur district, close to the India-Myanmar border, after militants triggered an improvised explosive device and then opened fire. Colonel Viplav Tripathi, then commanding officer of 46 Assam Rifles, his wife Anuja, their young son Abir and four Assam Rifles personnel were killed in the attack.
The PLA and Manipur Naga People’s Front later claimed responsibility for the ambush, which was subsequently taken up by the NIA for investigation. The agency announced cash rewards for several accused in the case, including a ₹4 lakh bounty for Balin, who remained wanted in connection with the attack.
Initial questioning after his arrest also pointed to Singh’s wider involvement in PLA activities. He had allegedly undergone training and stayed for a prolonged period at a militant camp in Myanmar, besides being involved in the procurement and transfer of war-like stores and maintaining links with other insurgent groups.
The Economic Times reported that intelligence inputs established Singh’s presence in the area before security forces launched a targeted search operation. He was later handed over to Manipur Police at Lilong Police Station in Thoubal for further legal proceedings.
Eastern Command, in a separate post on X, described Singh as a key accused in the 2021 Churachandpur ambush case. The command said the operation reflected the security forces’ resolve to disrupt insurgent networks and safeguard peace and stability in Manipur.
