The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested seven foreign nationals, including six Ukrainians and one American, for allegedly planning terrorist activities aimed at India, officials said on Tuesday.
NIA Arrests Six Ukrainians and Americans
The arrests took place last week during a coordinated operation across multiple cities under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with Section 18 related to conspiracy among the charges brought forward.
An FIR registered on Friday evening, after which immigration authorities detained the American national at Kolkata airport. The six Ukrainians arrested in parallel operations at Lucknow and Delhi airports.
Drone training in Mynanmar gone wrong
Investigators reported that the accused entered India on valid visas but violated regulations by traveling to Mizoram without obtaining the required Restricted Area Permit. After arriving in Mizoram, they crossed into Myanmar and established connections with ethnic armed groups that are hostile to India. An official noted that preliminary findings suggest drone shipments sourced from Europe were routed through India and delivered in the region.
The accused brought to Delhi and presented before a magistrate, who granted initial police custody for three days. A Delhi court later extended their remand until March 27.
In court documents, the NIA claimed that the group involved in illegally importing large shipments of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India for ethnic armed organizations. The agency stated that these groups were also helping banned Indian insurgent outfits by providing weapons, training, and other support.
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