In a major operation, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles have seized a Starlink satellite internet device, manufactured by American billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX, in the conflict-ridden region of Manipur on December 13, Friday.
In X post by the @Spearcorps said that. the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Manipur Police and other security forces, carried out joint search operations in the hill and valley regions of Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, and Kangpokpi districts. Based on specific intelligence, the forces recovered 29 weapons, including snipers, automatic rifles, pistols, grenades, country-made mortars, and other war-related items. A major discovery during the operation was the seizure of Starlink devices.
Billionaire Elon Musk responds
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, offers broadband internet via satellite but does not operate in India as it lacks government approval. The company is still seeking regulatory clearance.
Elon Musk addressed the situation on social media, confirming that Starlink does not operate in India. "This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India," he wrote.
According news reports, A key image from the operation showed a white rectangular dish and a router with the Starlink logo. The router also had the acronyms "RPF/PLA," which could suggest the involvement of insurgent groups in the region. This raised concerns about how militants might be using Starlink to bypass internet restrictions and maintain communication in the restive state.
The seized Starlink device | X
Netizens React
The incident has netizens raising concern over the situation. One user pointed out that these devices could help militants stay connected via high-speed internet despite outages in the area.
"Starlink does not have approval from the Indian government or any neighboring countries," the user said.
Another comment questioned the relationship with the US, suggesting distrust based on past experiences.
Many others questioned the sources of these devices and their funding. "Where are they coming from? Who’s behind the funding? And how many more are out there?" one user asked.
The lack of availability of Starlink devices in India has now raised concerns about how these items are reaching the region and whether they can be intercepted before they arrive.
