Robbery occurred on Nov 30, 2023, in Ukhrul. NIA probe will track funds meant to buy weapons for NSCN(IM) operations in Myanma
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, Sept 24 — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the sensational ₹18.85-crore robbery at Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) Viewland branch in Ukhrul, Manipur, following evidence that the heist was carried out by armed cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), or NSCN(IM).
The case was officially registered by the NIA on September 3, 2025, based on a directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
A Heist With Rebel Footprints
The robbery, which took place on November 30, 2023, had shocked the banking sector in the Northeast. According to the NIA’s FIR, the offence was allegedly masterminded by the eastern flank of NSCN(IM), led by self-styled Lt Col (then Major) P. Joseph alias P. Jaskson, a native of Roni village in Kamjong district.
Investigators believe the stolen money was intended to fund the outfit’s weapon procurement drive to bolster its strategic presence in neighboring Myanmar, where the group has maintained bases for decades.
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Arrests in Nagaland
The case gained momentum after a breakthrough in July this year. On July 30, 2025, Nagaland Police arrested three hardcore NSCN(IM) cadres, including Joseph, from Dimapur. They were handed over to Manipur Police the following day. Their interrogation reportedly revealed the larger conspiracy and direct involvement of senior NSCN(IM) leaders.
Why NIA Stepped In
The MHA noted that the magnitude of the robbery, its cross-border dimensions, and its possible implications for national security required the case to be handled by the country’s premier counter-terrorism agency.
“In view of the gravity of the offence, its national and international ramifications, and the need to unearth the larger conspiracy, the case is entrusted to the NIA,” the ministry’s order stated.
Following the communique, the NIA re-registered the case and began fresh investigations.
The NIA is now expected to track the money trail, identify collaborators, and investigate whether the funds were routed to arms dealers across the Indo-Myanmar border. The probe will also examine the extent of involvement of senior NSCN(IM) leadership and possible links with other insurgent networks in the Northeast.
With the spotlight once again on insurgent financing in Manipur and Nagaland, security officials say the outcome of this case could have a far-reaching impact on peace talks and the fragile ceasefire arrangements with Naga groups.
