US mercenary VanDyke, others brought drones, trained ethnic war groups: NIA

The NIA chargesheet, filed seven months after VanDyke and six other Ukrainian nationals were arrested at various airports, details how they entered India and their activities in Myanmar.US mercenary Matthew Aaron VanDyke American mercenary Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals were involved in training anti-India ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, the NIA said in its chargesheet on Tuesday. The chargesheet, filed seven months after they were arrested across various airports in March, also alleged that VanDyke and others entered India on valid visas before travelling to Mizoram, a protected area. They subsequently crossed into Myanmar, the chargesheet mentioned.Interestingly, the NIA has not invoked the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (anti-terror law) against VanDyke and others. They were initially charged under the anti-terror law after their arrest over suspected links to armed outfits in Myanmar. Several armed groups that are active in India's northeast function from their bases in Myanmar.In its chargesheet, filed before Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, the NIA invoked only Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. These sections deal with violations related to the entry, movement, and stay of foreigners in India.WHAT DOES NIA CHARGESHEET SAY ON VANDYKE?While VanDyke was detained at Kolkata airport in March, the Ukrainians were picked up at airports in Delhi and Lucknow. The big fish in NIA's net was VanDyke - a known name in conflict zones across the world. Believed to be part of America's deep state, VanDyke is the founder of Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) - a non-profit security firm that provides training to groups fighting authoritarian regimes. He has previously been part of armed conflicts in Libya and Syria - two countries where their leaders were toppled.After crossing into Myanmar from Mizoram, the NIA said VanDyke and others came in contact with ethnic armed groups. The NIA alleged that the groups were linked to insurgent outfits operating in India. The chargesheet also alleged that the US mercenary and the Ukrainian nationals brought a large consignment of drones from Europe to Myanmar through India.The NIA said it was investigating the group's alleged links with Myanmar-based terror masterminds.The Delhi court has listed the matter on October 1.- EndsPublished By: Abhishek DePublished On: Sep 8, 2026 16:13 IST