Recent arrests have uncovered that foreign nationals are using Assam as a transit point to access Myanmar, where they engage in training rebel groups, raising significant security issues in the Northeast. An American citizen and six Ukrainians were detained after returning from Myanmar, admitting to training insurgents like the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) in drone warfare. Although several Northeastern states require special permits for foreign entry, Assam is not subject to such restrictions, making it a convenient access route. The individuals reportedly arrived at Guwahati’s Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, circumventing travel to permit-required states like Mizoram, then traveled by road to Mizoram and crossed into Myanmar. Security agencies have observed similar incidents in previous years, such as a British national arrested in 2024 at Aizawl airport with ammunition, which led to the reinstatement of protected area status in Mizoram and Nagaland. While activities in Myanmar are beyond India’s jurisdiction, officials express concern over the use of Indian territory as a transit route and the breach of laws related to restricted area entry.
