Breaking: Powerful Starlink-Like Antennas and Routers Seized From Insurgents in Manipur – A Victory for Security
Security forces in Manipur’s Imphal East district have reportedly seized a Starlink-like dish and router from an insurgent group, alongside a cache of weapons including sniper rifles, pistols, grenades, and other arms. This discovery has sparked concerns about insurgents potentially using satellite internet to access information despite an internet blackout in the region.
A PTI report stated that relevant agencies are now investigating how the equipment, believed to be similar to Starlink, arrived in the area, especially since Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, does not have a license to function in India. During a search operation conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police across regions like Churachandpur and Imphal East on December 13, the recovery was made. SpaceX’s Starlink service, which offers satellite-based broadband, is only operational in countries where it is licensed.
Elon Musk, responding on social media, refuted claims that the device was a genuine Starlink product, asserting that Starlink satellites are not active over India.
The Spear Corps of the Indian Army shared images on social media showing the seized internet device labeled with the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF)/People’s Liberation Army (PLA) insignia. The RPF serves as the political wing of the PLA, a Meitei insurgent group banned by the Union Home Ministry.
In total, 29 weapons including various firearms, grenades, and other war-like stores were recovered. The Manipur Police described the seized equipment in a social media post as “an internet satellite antenna and internet satellite router,” recovered alongside arms and ammunition from Keirao Khunou in Imphal East.
According to NDTV, research by The Myanmar Internet Project has documented around 3,000 Starlink connections in Myanmar, used by both insurgents and civilians in remote areas. The PLA has been known to operate from Myanmar, near India’s border.
Original Source: https://news.abplive.com/states/northeast/manipur-elon-musk-starlink-discovered-in-imphal-east-manipur-by-spear-corp-manipur-police-1738204
Category : Northeast
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Publish Date: 2024-12-18 07:52:00
