International Terror Plot Foiled: NIA Arrests Six Ukrainians and One American in India

Seven Foreign Nationals Arrested on Terrorism Charges in India

Seven foreign nationals, including six Ukrainian nationals and one person from the United States, have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charges of conspiring to carry out terrorist activities against India. The arrests were made in a coordinated operation by multiple NIA teams at airports in Delhi, Kolkata, and Lucknow last week.

The suspects were produced before a Delhi court, which remanded them in custody until March 27. The arrests were made under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) along with other relevant sections. An FIR in the case was registered on Friday evening.

The US national was detained at the Kolkata airport, while three Ukrainians were detained at airports in Lucknow and Delhi. The accused had entered India on valid visas but had proceeded to Mizoram without the mandatory Restricted Area Permit. From there, they crossed into Myanmar, where they reportedly met ethnic groups hostile to India.

The NIA has alleged that the group was plotting terror strikes, and their movements had raised concerns over cross-border threats. The suspects were allegedly involved in importing drones from Europe to Myanmar via India for the use of ethnic armed groups. These groups were also reportedly supporting proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware, and training.

The NIA sought the remand of the accused persons to collect more evidence, unearth the overall conspiracy, identify co-accused persons, analyze mobile data, and ascertain the alleged source of funding. The agency also aims to apprehend close unknown associates still at large.

Nirbhay Thakur, a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express, covers district courts in Delhi and has reported on numerous high-profile cases since 2023. He is an economics graduate from Delhi University with a keen interest in data stories and court-related reporting.

Thakur's reporting is known for its procedural depth and meticulous updates on criminal trials. He has covered a wide range of court cases and investigations, providing exclusive insights into legal sagas.

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