The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has informed a Delhi court that seven foreign nationals arrested in March for allegedly conspiring to carry out terrorist activities against India were involved in a drone attack on a civilian aircraft in Myanmar.
The foreigners, comprising six Ukrainians and one American, are currently detained in Tihar Jail. On August 31, Special Judge Prashant Sharma granted the NIA permission to interrogate two of the men in prison.
“"The Central Government has received credible information indicating the involvement of certain Ukrainian and US Nationals in a drone attack on a civilian aircraft in Myanmar," the NIA stated in its application to the court dated August 19.
Background of the Case
The application detailed that 14 Ukrainians had entered India on tourist visas at different times, traveled to Guwahati, and subsequently moved to Mizoram without the necessary documents (Restricted Area Permit (RAP) / Protected Area Permit (PAP)). They allegedly entered Myanmar illegally to conduct training on drone warfare and operations for Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs) targeting the Myanmar Military Junta.
Several Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) have been active in Myanmar for decades. Following the military coup on February 1, 2021, these groups have been leading an armed struggle against the junta, resulting in significant casualties and a fragmented country.
Details of the Drone Attack
On February 24, Burma News International reported that a Myanmar National Airlines ATR 72-600 passenger aircraft preparing for take-off to Mandalay was struck by an FPV suicide drone at Myitkyina airport in Kachin state four days earlier. It remains unclear if the NIA's application pertains to this specific incident.
The NIA's application also mentioned that the seven foreign nationals had previously traveled through Mizoram and conducted training on two separate occasions, in addition to illegally importing large consignments of drones and related parts from Europe to Myanmar for EAGs.
