IMPHAL, Dec 18: Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, announced that Starlink satellite signals have been disabled over India in response to allegations that the device was utilized in the troubled region of Manipur.
Recent raids by security forces in Keirao Khunou, Imphal East district, resulted in the confiscation of several internet devices along with arms and ammunition.
The Indian Army’s Spear Corps shared images of the seized items on X, where social media users quickly highlighted the presence of a device featuring a “Starlink logo.”
In reaction to this, an X user commented, “@Starlink is being used by terrorists. I hope, Elon @elonmusk, investigates this and assists in preventing the misuse of this technology.” Musk responded, stating, “This is false. Starlink satellite signals are turned off over India.”
Starlink, which offers satellite internet services, currently lacks a license to operate within India.
The Spear Corps, based in Dimapur, posted images on ‘X’ showcasing the items retrieved during the search, which included the internet device with the Starlink logo, along with markings of the RPF/PLA.
The discovery of the Starlink-like device has also led agencies to look into how such equipment made its way into the conflict-ridden region, officials indicated.
There has been no official confirmation regarding whether the device is an authentic Starlink unit.
The seizure occurred during a search operation in Imphal East on December 13, where the state police reported the confiscation of “one internet satellite antenna, one internet satellite router, and approximately 20 meters of FTP cables.”
This operation was a collaborative effort between the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police across Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, and Kagpokpi.
Moreover, the Spear Corps reported the recovery of 29 weapons, including snipers, automatic firearms, rifles, pistols, homemade mortars, single-barrel rifles, grenades, ammunition, and war-like supplies.
In a separate update on ‘X’, the Manipur Police detailed that among the items retrieved from Keirao Khunou in Imphal East were one MA4 assault rifle, one 12-bore gun, one 9 mm pistol, one .32 pistol, five hand grenades, five arming rings, two detonators, 30 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, one internet satellite antenna, and one internet satellite router.
Since May of last year, over 250 individuals have lost their lives, with thousands more displaced due to ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur. (Agencies)
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