India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested seven foreign nationals in what officials describe as a major breakthrough in a cross-border terror training case linked to Myanmar.
The arrests, made on March 13, include six Ukrainian citizens and one American national. According to investigators, the accused were allegedly involved in training insurgent groups operating in Myanmar with the intent of targeting India’s northeastern region.
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The agency has secured 11-day custody of the accused as it probes charges related to illegal entry, weapons handling, drone training, and the import of drone equipment from Europe.
Who Is Matthew VanDyke? A Controversial Figure in Global Conflict Zones
Among those arrested, Matthew VanDyke has emerged as a central figure in the investigation.
VanDyke, originally from Baltimore, has previously been associated with conflict zones in the Middle East. Reports indicate he was once detained in Libya during the uprising against the Muammar Gaddafi regime and later surfaced in Syria during the civil war.
He has claimed that his presence in cities like Aleppo was linked to documentary filmmaking, although he also acknowledged advising rebel fighters on weaponry based on his prior combat exposure.
Links to Anti-ISIS Operations and Private Military Training
VanDyke has also been linked to anti-ISIS efforts. According to publicly reported information, he established a private security and training organisation called Sons of Liberty International, which has reportedly operated in Iraqi Kurdistan.
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The organisation has been described as providing military training to local fighters and recruiting volunteers to support armed campaigns against extremist groups.
Additionally, reports suggest that VanDyke was involved in training Ukrainian fighters during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, further highlighting his connections with foreign combat networks.
According to NIA findings, the accused individuals entered India on tourist visas before allegedly coordinating their movements towards the northeast.
VanDyke was detained at Kolkata airport by immigration authorities, while other suspects were intercepted in Delhi and Lucknow. Investigators believe all seven individuals were part of a coordinated network.
Authorities claim the group travelled to Guwahati and later moved to Mizoram, from where they allegedly entered restricted zones without valid permits. From there, they are accused of illegally crossing into Myanmar to conduct pre-planned training sessions.
Drone Warfare Training and Insurgent Links Under Investigation
The NIA has alleged that the accused were engaged in training Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs), which are suspected of maintaining links with insurgent outfits targeting India.
According to officials, the training included advanced modules such as drone operation, assembly, and electronic jamming techniques.
Investigators have also told the court that the accused were in contact with armed individuals carrying assault rifles and had assisted them in operational activities.
Drone Imports From Europe Raise Security Concerns
One of the most serious aspects of the case involves the alleged import of drone consignments from Europe.
Evidence cited in court suggests that the accused facilitated the delivery of these drones to networks operating in Mizoram and across the Myanmar border. Authorities believe the equipment may have been intended for surveillance or offensive operations.
The NIA has described the case as part of a broader conspiracy that could pose a threat to India’s internal security and sovereignty.
Probe Expands Amid Questions Over International Links
While the investigation is still ongoing, officials have indicated that the case may involve a wider international network.
Unverified claims circulating on social media have attempted to link the accused to intelligence operations, but authorities have not confirmed such allegations.
For now, the focus remains on establishing the full extent of the alleged training network and its potential impact on regional security.
