Seven foreign nationals, including one American and six Ukrainians, have been remanded in custody by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) over an alleged conspiracy involving drone warfare training for armed groups.
A special NIA court in Delhi granted the agency 11 days of custody after the suspects were produced at the Patiala House Court. The NIA had sought 15 days. The accused are scheduled to be produced again on March 27.
According to investigators, the group is accused of entering restricted areas in India’s northeast before allegedly crossing into Myanmar and establishing links with ethnic armed organisations. The NIA claims the suspects were involved in providing tactical training, including the use of drones, to such groups.
Authorities also allege that the network was involved in sourcing drones from Europe and facilitating their transfer for use in training and operations.
The case has drawn international attention, with the United States acknowledging the detention of its citizen, while Ukraine has sought consular access to its nationals and questioned the allegations.
The accused have been charged under India’s anti-terror laws, including provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), as investigations into the alleged cross-border network continue. (Newswire)