VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals

The arrest of seven Ukrainian nationals, including an American spy, by the NIA indicates the severe threat looming over India's internal security. Based on a tip-off, the NIA arrested American national Matthew VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals working for the separatists on March 13. The American national was arrested at Kolkata airport. Three others were arrested from Delhi, and three from Lucknow airport. The NIA states in the FIR that the group was involved in training and providing weapons to separatist groups in Myanmar. The National Investigation Agency has not released any further information about them.

The Union Home Ministry revealed foreign involvement behind the riots in Manipur. Chinese-made weapons were also found among the rioters to corroborate evidence. Clarity is needed on whether the rioters had any plans for the northeastern regions of India. They came to India from Myanmar via Mizoram. It has been revealed that the captured American spy is a mercenary who has been working for rebel groups in Lebanon and elsewhere for a long time. He was also involved in the fight to oust Colonel Gaddafi in the civil war in 2011. Therefore, it is to be ascertained that VanDyke maintained good relations with leaders of Islamic terrorist organisations operating in many West Asian countries. This leads to serious doubts and concern over his arrival in India with a posse of Ukrainian nationals.

It is also noteworthy that they were arrested from strategic locations like Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata. The chances of them pondering over a terrorist attack in India cannot be ruled out. In addition to providing weapons and drones to rebel groups working against the military regime in Myanmar, the team even provided them with training on how to use the weapons. The arrested American is also the founder of the organisation 'Sons of Liberty International', which intervenes in conflicts in foreign countries and trains local armies. The NIA also states that they had brought drones from Europe and trained separatists in drone assembling and jamming technology in camps in Myanmar.

It is more or less a fact that terrorist groups aided by Pakistan are covertly operating inside India. Recently, some ISI spies were arrested in some towns in North India. Connecting the dots, it is unlikely that the American national and the Ukrainians were in India just for a mere visit. The National Investigation Agency is conducting a thorough investigation. Eight people associated with them have not been arrested yet. The search is on for those who have escaped. It is to be identified whether they have provided training in guerrilla warfare techniques to any banned group in India and have transferred modern drones.