A US citizen, along with six Ukrainians, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency for illegally crossing into Myanmar through Mizoram to train ethnic groups for handling weapons. The US national, identified as Matthew Vandyke turned out to be an extremely shady person, associated with several rebel groups.
Even as the American embassy said that it was aware of the situation, it refused to reveal any details of the matter.
VanDyke Has A Controversial Past
Matthew VanDyke calls himself a security analyst, documentary filmmaker, and war correspondent, but sources suggest there are more layers to the shadowy figure.
The US national was a military instructor with former connections with the American military. He worked in Iraq among other combat zones. At that time, VanDyke also gave "special forces-style" training that encompasses disciplines such as guerrilla warfare, tactical operations, drone usage, and modern warfare techniques, NDTV said.
Vandyke past was no less than a movie, with fights, uprisings, and protests. It is believed that after completing his university studies, he went on a road trip to Libya. During his stay, he drew closer to the people. When the war started in Libya, he joined the rebels. Following this, he was arrested and incarcerated. However, he somehow managed to escape and returned to the US in 2011.
After the war, he wanted to make a documentary on the Syrian revolution. However, he dropped the project after two of his journalist friends, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, were executed by ISIS. He then started to focus on training armed groups. vanDyke then formed the Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) to train and advise armed groups around the world.
Investigations revealed that he maintained close relations with rebels across the world. Recordings claimed that his alleged motive was not just to deploy fighters, but to train natives to fight for themselves.
His recent arrest in India brings in major tensions about his alleged links to armed networks active in the North Eastern region. The investigators believe that VanDyka was also providing trainings in drone operations and new-age warfare techniques.
The inquiring team jotted down critical questions of whether the territory was used as a transit corridor and if VanDyke had any links with any of the anti-India and banned groups.
Reports said the investigators have narrowed down three possible theories of VanDyke's connection to India.
The first theory points to an international motive to potentially destabilise India. The theory stresses on CIA's covert operations across the world.
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Some critics feel that a network connected to Ukraine could be behind this, particularly after President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised the need for special operations in foreign countries. Previously, Ukraine's presence had been observed in conflict zones in Sudan, Mali, Syria, and Libya.
Analysts also said that VanDyke can be connected to geopolitical tensions of the Russia-Ukraine war. This can be linked to India buying Russian oil during the Ukraine war and maintaining strategic ties with the country.
The Arrest
The detained individuals have been identified as US national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and Ukrainian nationals Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor. The NIA is examining their digital footprints to establish the identities of other suspected members of the network.
The seven were taken into custody in a case filed under BNS and Section 18 (Terror Conspiracy).
On Monday, special NIA judge Prashant Sharma remanded all seven people who had been detained by the NIA for 11 days. The NIA had requested 15 days in confinement.
The NIA said that while requesting remand, the accused individuals in detention will also demonstrate that they had direct contact with and assistance from unidentified terrorists carrying AK-47 rifles in their terrorist/illegal actions.
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Additionally, the NIA has claimed that the accused, who are associated with ethnic armed groups, are providing weapons, terrorist equipment, and training to specific Indian insurgent groups that are prohibited. "Said aspects definitely affect the national security and interests of India," added the statement.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Prshant Sharma was remanded to seven to 11 days of NIA custody till March 27. A hearing was conducted in a closed courtroom.
It is alleged that they came to India on a visa and then entered Mizoram, which is a protected area. After this, they entered Myanmar and contacted ethnic war groups.