American national Matthew VanDyke is being held by Indian authorities after he became a suspect in a supposed terror plot.
The National Investigation Agency arrested VanDyke and six other foreign nationals after they were linked to an alleged conspiracy against India, according to Republic World.
Officials said that the group is suspected of training armed outfits and facilitating operations connected to insurgent networks that are operating in and nearby the northeast part of India.
The NIA claimed that VanDyke and the six other foreign nationals entered India and travelled to northeastern states before they illegally crossed into Myanmar with the intention to train ethnic armed groups.
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It’s believed that the groups have links with banned organizations that operate in India, which makes the situation a security risk.
Officials also received reports that drone consignments were routed from Europe to Myanmar via India, which has led them to believe that there may be training and operations by the foreign nationals.
The NIA booked VanDyke and others under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which is India’s primary anti-terror law. The agency is currently investigating the matter in order to uncover funding sources, operational links and any broader international network that may be connected to the case.
A court in Delhi has granted the NIA the right to further interrogate the seven people. Additionally, officials have said that the probe is currently at a crucial stage as they work to determine the group’s intentions.
In light of the arrest, authorities are looking into why VanDyke was in India in the first place. They’ve considered that the Indian territory was used as a transit route, while they’re also looking into his possible links to banned groups and broader questions of espionage.
Investigators seized electronic devices and tracking movements from those arrested to identify local contacts and funding sources.
The U.S. Embassy has since acknowledged that they’re aware of the case. However, they have chosen not to comment any further due to privacy considerations.
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VanDyke has made a name for himself as a security analyst, war correspondent and documentary filmmaker. He gained prominence during the Libyan Civil War in 2011 when he joined rebel fighters. He was held captive at the time but ultimately escaped.
He is also the founder of Sons of Liberty International (SOLI). The organization “provides free security consulting, training, supplies, and other services to vulnerable populations to enable them to defend themselves against terrorists and insurgents,” according to the website. “We provide these services to communities that would otherwise not be able to afford them. SOLI is incorporated as a non-profit and relies on public funding.”
