In Manipur, the Army confiscates a Starlink device created by Elon Musk’s SpaceX

 

In Manipur, the Army confiscates a Starlink device created by Elon Musk’s SpaceX

The confiscation of a Starlink device triggers concern as it implies that militant organizations and criminal groups in the Northeast, particularly in conflict-affected Manipur, are capable of bypassing traditional internet limitations. In a noteworthy operation, the Army along with the Assam Rifles has obtained a Starlink satellite internet apparatus—produced by American tycoon Elon Musk’s SpaceX—from the troubled region of Manipur. 

The Spear Corps, in a communication on ‘X’, stated that following specific intelligence, soldiers conducted coordinated search missions in the hilly and valley regions across the districts of Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, and Kangpokpi in Manipur, working closely with the local police forces. 

Images showcasing the recovery were published, displaying 29 armaments including sniper rifles, automatic firearms, conventional rifles, handguns, locally manufactured mortars, single-barrel rifles, grenades, and various types of ammunition. However, among the captured items, one was particularly notable—a Starlink device complete with the receiver and router.

Although military sources declined to disclose which faction the Starlink device was confiscated from, it bore markings of RPF/PLA. 

It was noted that the recovery took place on December 13, and the device is now in the custody of the Manipur police.

Starlink has not yet received approval for a satellite broadband license in India, and it is supposed to be geotagged to inhibit any device from functioning within Indian territory. Sources indicated that law enforcement agencies are investigating to ascertain how the device arrived in Manipur. 

The confiscation is described as troubling since it implies that militant factions and criminal organizations can evade conventional internet barriers. It is suspected that the device might have been smuggled into India from Myanmar, where it is seemingly utilized by various groups.

While traditional mobile service providers utilize telecom towers to deliver voice and internet services, Starlink operates through a network of satellites.

This marks the second occasion in less than a month that Indian security forces have recovered a Starlink device. In late November, the Andaman and Nicobar police seized over 6,000 kilograms of methamphetamine from a boat coming from Myanmar, alongside a Starlink mini internet apparatus.

Currently, Starlink is pursuing the necessary security approvals to obtain authorization for providing satellite broadband services in India and is anticipated to receive a license if it complies with the stipulations set forth by authorities.

Starlink has been attempting to enter the Indian market for several years. Meanwhile, the government has clarified that the allocation of satellite spectrum will not be conducted through an auction process but will occur administratively, and not on a first-come, first-served basis. While Indian telecom magnates, including Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Bharti Mittal, supported an auction, Musk opposed the idea.