AIZAWL: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has asked Mizoram to verify reports that seven foreigners arrested in Lucknow, Kolkata and Delhi recently conducted weapons and drone training in Myanmar’s Chin state between late Jan and Feb, a senior official of the police’s intelligence wing said on Wednesday.While evidence of anti-India activity across the border has been found through “sources” in Chin state, what is even more concerning is how easily foreigners can cross from Mizoram into Myanmar through the 404km border the two share, the official said.“This has become easier due to the absence of effective control by Myanmar’s military junta in Chin state where the Chin National Front, Chin National Army and other Chin militias now hold sway,” he said.The Tiau river, which is part of the border, is currently so shallow that even children can cross it on foot.Foreigners entering Mizoram require a protected area permit, a mandatory special travel document for all foreigners barring Bhutanese nationals visiting specific security sensitive areas within Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram and parts of J&K and Himachal Pradesh.Although local authorities are tightening enforcement, those already in the state face little difficulty crossing into Myanmar, the intelligence official said.The NIA’s suspicion that the seven arrested foreigners – six Ukrainians and a US national – brought in drones from Europe via Myanmar has not been confirmed. But the entry of foreign mercenaries through Mizoram to train anti-coup armed groups fighting the junta is an established pattern, the official said.Concerns over this route surfaced after the June 19, 2024, arrest of retired British SAS commando Daniel Newey at Aizawl’s Lengpui airport. Police found a live bullet on him. Subsequent probe indicated that western mercenaries had entered Myanmar through Mizoram to provide weapons training to Chin armed groups.India has announced plans to fence the entire 1,643km border with Myanmar, which separates the junta-governed country from Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Mizoram Police and intelligence agencies believe the move has come not a day too soon.
