NIA Investigates Wider Network After Arrest of Foreign Nationals

New Delhi - A U.S. citizen and six Ukrainians have been arrested in India on charges of illegally entering the country to engage with ethnic armed groups linked to regional insurgencies. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) detained the individuals, identified as Matthew Aaron Van Dyke from the United States, alongside five Ukrainians: Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor. The arrests occurred on March 13, 2026, with three Ukrainians apprehended at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the other three at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow. Van Dyke was taken into custody at Kolkata airport on the same evening.

The individuals are alleged to have illegally crossed into Myanmar via Mizoram with intentions to train ethnic armed groups in skills related to weapons handling and drone operations. Reports indicate that Van Dyke had been under surveillance by security agencies prior to his arrest. His social media presence suggests he portrays himself as a ‘media personality’ and claims to have undertaken covert operations in several countries, including Venezuela. Among his postings, he expressed intentions to challenge various regimes, including those of Myanmar and Russia.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Embassy noted they are aware of the developments but cannot provide details about specific cases due to privacy policies. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the six individuals had access to legal assistance and are contesting the allegations. They also expressed concern over a lack of clear evidence supporting claims of illegal activity. The Ukrainian embassy has submitted a letter of protest regarding restrictions on their communication and access to the detainees, asserting a need for immediate consular access per international standards.

The detention of the six suspects has been extended by a Delhi court, which has ordered them to remain in NIA custody until March 27. The accused are charged under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, primarily for crossing into India on tourist visas and proceeding to Mizoram without the necessary Protected Area Permit (PAP), before allegedly attempting to train opposition forces in Myanmar. During court proceedings, Van Dyke appeared without legal representation, while the Ukrainian individuals were supported by advocates engaged through their embassy.

The NIA is currently analysing the digital footprints of the accused in an effort to uncover potential connections to a wider network of suspects linked to similar activities. The investigation is part of a broader governmental effort to monitor foreign visitors in the northeastern states of India, particularly due to concerns raised following intelligence reports about foreign nationals travelling into Myanmar's conflict zones. In December 2024, the Union Home Ministry alerted local officials in border states like Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland, instructing enhanced scrutiny of foreigners in these areas and subsequently suspending relaxation measures previously in place for tourist visas within the Protected Area Regime. This regime has been operational since 1958 and traditionally controls foreign access to sensitive border regions.

The situation remains fluid, with significant attention on the developments and implications of these arrests for regional security and foreign relations.