New Delhi (TIP): The lone American who was arrested along with six Ukrainians last week by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for alleged drone warfare training, illegal border crossings and links to armed groups operating near India’s North-Eastern region is Matthew VanDyke. He has worn different hats and, according to his social media profile, calls himself an American spy, an international security analyst, foreign fighter, media personality and even a documentary filmmaker. However, what attracts attention is that he calls himself the “founder of the non-profit organisation Sons of Liberty International (SOLI)”.
According to the Wikipedia page on him, whose link VanDyke has shared on his X profile, “he first gained fame during the Libyan Civil War as a foreign fighter on the side of the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi and as a prisoner of war.”
His profile on X reads, “Founder, Sons of Liberty International. Fought in Libya+Ukraine. Run covert ops in Venezuela. FREE IRAN. And more…”
According to NIA, all the seven accused had allegedly entered India illegally and imported drones from Europe for training purposes. All seven were on March 16 remanded in NIA custody until March 27 by a special NIA court. The agency is now probing as to how they managed to enter India, especially Mizoram, which is a restricted territory for foreigners and from there, they entered neighbouring Myanmar.
Sources further informed that the persons who provided them logistical support to travel within the country and then cross over to Myanmar is also being investigated.
NIA — in a statement on March 18 — said that “since the case is in the initial stage of investigation, we will not be able to share the details at this stage. The same will be shared at an appropriate time”.
VanDyke was arrested from Kolkata airport by NIA on March 13. Three Ukrainian nationals were picked up from Lucknow airport and the remaining three from Delhi airport the same day. They have been charged under relevant Sections, including Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The reaction of the US Embassy in India was muted regarding VanDyke’s arrest. “We are aware of the situation. However, for privacy reasons, we cannot comment on cases involving US citizens,” a US Embassy spokesperson had said on his arrest. Source: TNS
Pakistan
Pakistan at crossroads in terror fight, must decide: Army chief
ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan stands at a “crossroads” in its fight against extremism and must decide whether it wants to enjoy the benefits of its young demography or suffer at the hands of terrorism, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said on […]
Indian Americans
NJ Gubernatorial race: South Asians of New Jersey extend support to Phil Murphy
Ashok Ojha EDISON, NJ (TIP): Phil Murphy, the democratic candidate for this year’s gubernatorial election in New Jersey, was praised as a friend of South Asian population of the state. New jersey’s only Assemblyman of South Asian origin Raj Mukherjee […]
United States
Michael Flynn wants Trump to declare Martial Law and redo the Election
WASHINGTON (TIP): Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser who was pardoned by the president last week for lying during the Russia investigation, wants Trump to declare martial law and “temporarily suspend the […]
Visium Pro is an advanced vision support formula created to help maintain eye health, sharpen visual performance, and provide daily support against modern challenges such as screen exposure and visual fatigue.