CNI News

17 March 2026

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India has arrested seven foreigners who allegedly met with Myanmar-based armed groups that oppose India and supplied them with drones.

The detainees include six Ukrainian nationals and one American national. They were apprehended at airports in Delhi, Kolkata, and Lucknow.

According to reports, although these individuals entered India on valid visas, they traveled to the restricted state of Mizoram without the required permits. From there, they crossed into Myanmar to establish contact with armed groups acting against India and arranged the delivery of drones imported from Europe.

The NIA has detained the seven foreigners on charges of conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks against India.

A criminal court in Delhi has ordered them to be held in custody until March 27 while further investigations continue, as reported by the Indian Express.

The reports did not specify exactly which Myanmar-based armed groups were receiving the drones. Currently, several groups are active along the India-Myanmar border, including the Chin National Front (CNF), Arakan Army (AA), Chin PDF, Kuki National Army (KNA), Naga armed groups, Meitei (Kathey) armed groups, Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), PDFs under the NUG, and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).