NIA arrests six Ukrainians, one American in terror conspiracy case; flags cross-border drone threat to India

The arrests were carried out in a coordinated multi-city operation last week under provisions of the UAPA, with Section 18 pertaining to conspiracy among the charges invoked.

• NIA arrests 6 Ukrainians, 1 American for India terror plot
• Accused allegedly imported drones for hostile groups via India
• Court extends police custody amid ongoing conspiracy probe

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested seven foreign nationals, including six Ukrainians and one American, for allegedly plotting terrorist activities targeting India, officials said on Tuesday.

The arrests were carried out in a coordinated multi-city operation last week under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with Section 18 pertaining to conspiracy among the charges invoked.

An FIR was registered on Friday evening, following which the US national was detained by immigration authorities at Kolkata airport. The six Ukrainian nationals were picked up in parallel operations at airports in Lucknow and Delhi.

According to investigators, the accused had entered India on valid visas but allegedly breached regulations by travelling to Mizoram without securing the mandatory Restricted Area Permit.

"After reaching Mizoram, they crossed into Myanmar and established links with ethnic armed groups hostile to India," an official has been cited in the report, who further noted, "Preliminary findings indicate that drone consignments sourced from Europe were routed through India and delivered in the region".

The accused were subsequently brought to Delhi and produced before a magistrate, who granted initial police custody for three days. Their remand was later extended till March 27 by a Delhi court.

In court filings, the NIA alleged that the group played a role in "illegally importing large consignments of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India" for use by ethnic armed organisations. These groups, the agency said, were also assisting banned Indian insurgent outfits by supplying weapons, training and other logistical support.

Seeking extended custody, prosecutors argued that further interrogation was essential to uncover the wider conspiracy and identify additional suspects.

The agency also informed the court that it is working to trace funding channels, examine digital evidence and map the routes used by the accused. It added that efforts are underway to identify “unknown associates still at large” through technical and social media analysis.