NIA Links Ukraine, US Nationals to Drone Attack on Myanmar Plane
NIA says six Ukrainians and one American held in Tihar were involved in a drone attack on a civilian aircraft in Myanmar and trained ethnic armed groups.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has informed a Delhi court that seven foreign nationals arrested in March for allegedly plotting terrorist activities against India were involved in a drone attack on a civilian aircraft in Myanmar.
The accused — six Ukrainians and one American — are currently lodged in Tihar Jail. On August 31, Special Judge Prashant Sharma permitted the NIA to interrogate two of the men in prison.
In an application dated August 19, the NIA said the Central Government had received credible information linking certain Ukrainian and US nationals to the drone strike on a civilian aircraft in Myanmar. The agency added that 14 Ukrainians had entered India on tourist visas, travelled to Guwahati, and then moved to Mizoram without the required Restricted Area Permit or Protected Area Permit. They allegedly crossed illegally into Myanmar to conduct pre-scheduled training on drone warfare, drone operations, assembly, and jamming technology for Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs) targeting the military junta.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power in February 2021. Ethnic armed organisations, often in loose alliances with local militias, have led an armed resistance against the junta. The conflict has reportedly killed over one lakh people and fragmented the country into various ethnic administrations.
A report by Burma News International on February 24 mentioned that a Myanmar National Airlines ATR 72-600 passenger aircraft was struck by an FPV suicide drone at Myitkyina airport in Kachin state on February 20. It is not clear if the NIA application refers to this specific incident.
The NIA further stated that the seven accused had previously travelled through Mizoram on two separate occasions to conduct similar training. They also allegedly imported large consignments of drones and parts from Europe to Myanmar via India for use by EAGs. The agency noted that these groups are known to support certain proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons and training, affecting India's national security.
Digital devices seized from the accused have been sent for forensic examination. The NIA said the data is voluminous and needs time for thorough analysis. During scrutiny, incriminating images, videos, and voice samples emerged, which need to be confronted with the accused to take the investigation to its logical conclusion.
The NIA sought permission to interrogate American Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and Ukrainian Viktor Kaminskyi to unearth the larger conspiracy and obtain details about masterminds in Myanmar. Van Dyke was detained at Kolkata airport on March 13, while the Ukrainians were held at airports in Lucknow and Delhi. They have been in Tihar since April 6.
Special Judge Sharma allowed the application, noting that courts ordinarily should not interfere with investigation. Advocates for the accused argued that the application was an afterthought and lacked fresh grounds.
The NIA's investigation also revealed that the accused delivered drone consignments to individuals in Mizoram and claimed they were in direct touch with unknown terrorists carrying AK-47 rifles. Van Dyke, who claims on his website to have fought in the 2011 Libyan Civil War, has denied all charges.