American citizen Matthew Van Dyke and six Ukrainian nationals, who were arrested in March over allegations of illegally entering India through the Mizoram border, were allegedly involved in a drone attack on a civilian aircraft in neighbouring Myanmar, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told a Delhi court.
The NIA told the court that the analysis of data extracted from the seized devices has revealed several incriminating details and facts. The investigating agency maintains that it is essential to confront the arrested accused with this digital evidence to verify the material and cross-reference it with their statements.
The agency said they have seized photos, videos, and voice samples from the devices seized from these arrested individuals that emerged as crucial evidence in the case.
Granting the NIA’s plea, the special court observed that interrogating the accused is part of the investigative agency’s procedure and that courts should generally not interfere in the investigation process. The agency has also included videos found in these devices in its investigation that are considered vital for establishing the details of the attack on the aircraft and the role of the drone network. However, the investigation into these allegations is ongoing, and the specific role of any individual or module has yet to be conclusively proven in court. The agency is also attempting to ascertain the nature of the contact between the accused and the extent of their network with armed groups based in Myanmar.
The agency told the Patiala House court that the group was also allegedly planning to carry out terror activities in India and sought to interrogate Van Dyke and Ukrainian national Kaminskyi Viktor in Tihar jail, where they are lodged. NIA said that its investigation indicates that the drones used in the attack were allegedly supplied to local rebel groups through a network connected to the “Matthew Van Dyke module. This interrogation is necessary to bring the investigation to a logical conclusion, according to the NIA.
