7 foreigners arrested in India for alleged anti-national plot, phones sent for cyber probe

Seven foreign nationals , including a US citizen and six Ukrainians, were sent to NIA custody after being arrested for allegedly plotting to undermine India’s national security, officials said. Their mobile phones and social media accounts have been sent for cyber analysis to trace the source of funding , the mastermind , and unknown accomplices .

The arrests followed a tip-off , leading the Bureau of Immigration to detain them at major transit hubs. The FIR states that 14 Ukrainians entered India on tourist visas , travelled to Guwahati and Mizoram without Restricted/Protected Area Permits , and allegedly crossed into Myanmar to train Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs) linked to terrorist organisations operating in India , specialising in drone warfare and jamming technology .

The arrested include Matthew Aaron VanDyke , founder of Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) , and six Ukrainians , Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor. SOLI is known for training vulnerable populations and has conducted missions in Ukraine, Iraq, and the Philippines.

Authorities allege the group imported drones from Europe to Myanmar for EAGs and are probing the route, funding, and unidentified associates. The Delhi court remanded them to 11-day NIA custody , allowing medical checks every 48 hours and brief meetings with lawyers or relatives.

The Ukrainian embassy expressed concern over reports hinting at political motives, denying state involvement and warning of attempts by Russia to sow discord between India and Ukraine .

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma noted the state’s border with Myanmar is being used as a transit route by foreigners, prompting the Centre to fence the entire Indo-Myanmar border across Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland.

The NIA said the case is in early stages, with further details to be shared at the appropriate time.