Earlier too, foreign mercenaries had gone to Myanmar via Mizoram. india news
Aizawl: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has asked Mizoram to verify reports that seven foreigners arrested recently in Lucknow, Kolkata and Delhi had undergone arms and drone training in Myanmar’s Chin state between January end and February, a senior officer of the police intelligence branch said on Wednesday.The official said, although evidence of anti-India activity across the border has been found through “sources” in Chin State, what is even more worrying is how easily foreigners can enter Myanmar from Mizoram through the 404 km border the two countries share.“This is made easier by 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 have influence,” he said.The Tiau River, which forms part of the border, is currently so shallow that even children can cross it on foot.Foreigners entering Mizoram require a Protected Area Permit, which is a mandatory special travel document for all foreigners except Bhutanese nationals visiting specific security sensitive areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram and parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.Although local authorities are tightening enforcement, those already in the state face little difficulty entering Myanmar, the intelligence official said.The NIA’s suspicion that the seven arrested foreigners – six Ukrainians and a US national – were 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 came to light after the arrest of retired British SAS commando Daniel Newey at Lengpui airport in Aizawl on June 19, 2024. Police found a live bullet on him. Subsequent investigations 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 1,643 km long border with Myanmar, which separates the junta-ruled country from Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Mizoram Police and intelligence agencies believe the move did not come a day earlier.