Preliminary reports suggest that unidentified individuals may have planted an improvised explosive device (IED) near the airport perimeter at Malom Tuliyaima. Security forces responded swiftly, cordoning off the area and launching extensive search and sanitisation operations to rule out additional threats.
BY PC Bureau
May 3, 2026 — A low-intensity explosion near the cargo complex of Imphal International Airport triggered panic on Sunday morning, coinciding with the third anniversary of the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur.
According to initial reports, the blast occurred around 11:55 a.m. near a crematorium along the airport’s perimeter fencing at Malom Tuliyaima, close to a Territorial Army camp. Preliminary inputs suggest that unidentified individuals, possibly on a two-wheeler, planted an improvised explosive device (IED) in the area between the cargo terminal and the nearby military installation.
Security forces and police personnel rushed to the site within minutes of the explosion. The area was immediately cordoned off, and intensive search and sanitisation operations were launched to rule out the presence of additional devices. Bomb disposal squads and forensic teams have since been deployed to examine the site and collect evidence.
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Officials said the explosion was of low intensity, with no casualties or significant structural damage reported. However, the incident caused alarm among residents and personnel in the vicinity, given its proximity to a critical infrastructure facility.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact nature of the device used or identified those responsible. No group has claimed responsibility so far. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby installations and tracking possible escape routes used by the suspects.
Heightened Security Amid Anniversary Tensions
The incident comes at a time of heightened security across Manipur as the state marks three years since ethnic clashes first erupted on May 3, 2023, between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The conflict has left more than 260 people dead and displaced tens of thousands, with many still living in relief camps amid ongoing tensions.
In the run-up to the anniversary, security agencies had intensified surveillance across sensitive districts, key installations, and transport hubs. The alert followed recent recoveries of arms and ammunition, as well as intelligence inputs warning of potential disruptions.
Sunday also saw protests, memorial events, and peace gatherings organised by student bodies and civil society groups across different parts of the state, underscoring continuing demands for justice, reconciliation, and a political resolution to the crisis.
Investigation Underway
Officials said the latest blast adds to the fragile security environment, even as dialogue efforts between communities and government interlocutors continue. Senior police officers have appealed for calm, stating that the situation remains under control and that all necessary precautions are being taken.
Further details are expected as the investigation progresses, with authorities working to determine whether the incident was intended as a symbolic act linked to the anniversary or part of a broader pattern of unrest.
