'I want to change the course of history': Old video of US citizen arrested in India goes viral

News Topical, Digital Desk : Investigations into an international network of training militant groups in Myanmar and drone smuggling have indicated that US citizen Matthew Aaron Van Dyke is the mastermind of the entire network.

Dyck, a self-proclaimed war expert and founder of security firm Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), was arrested at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on March 13.

US citizen Matthew Dyke arrested

Matthew Dyck was arrested along with six Ukrainian citizens, Hruba Petro, Sliwiak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovsky, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maxim and Kaminsky Viktor.

According to sources, Matthew Dyck worked as a freelancer and marketed his combat expertise through internet media platforms like X, YouTube to get assignments.

Investigators have sought detailed data from these platforms to trace his activities. The NIA FIR alleges that Dyck and his team members came to India on tourist visas on different dates.

They then flew to Guwahati and then went to Mizoram without the mandatory Restricted Area Permit (RAP) or Protected Area Permit (PAP), after which they illegally entered Myanmar.

Was smuggling drones into India 

It is alleged that Matthew Dyck's network provided training to Myanmar-based armed groups, including drone operations, drone assembly, and electronic jamming systems. The accused have admitted to conducting such training sessions on several occasions.

The group is alleged to have smuggled a consignment of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India to enhance the operational capabilities of these armed groups.

The NIA also told the court that the accused were in contact with unidentified armed operatives, armed with AK-47 rifles, and assisted in terrorist and illegal activities. They also provided weapons and training to banned Indian insurgent organizations.

According to internet media profiles, Dyck reportedly participated in conflicts in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq, including the Libyan civil war of 2011. There, he was held as a prisoner of war for more than five months.

He later founded SOLI, a company described as providing training and advisory services in global conflict zones.

According to investigators, the group has repeatedly traveled to Myanmar since 2024. Eight more Ukrainian nationals are part of the group, who reportedly entered Myanmar via Mizoram, but it is unclear whether they are still in Myanmar or have left.

The NIA declined to share further details in an official statement. "More details will be shared at the appropriate time," he said.

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