- Two American citizens were detained with satellite phones at Srinagar airport.
- The police registered an FIR against both of them for possessing banned equipment and arrested them.
- The intentions of both of them are being ascertained by investigating their travel history.
- Use of satellite phones without government permission is completely prohibited in India.
US Nationals Detained: There was a stir at Srinagar Airport on Sunday when satellite phones were recovered from the luggage of two American citizens during routine security check. Security officials immediately detained both of them and started interrogating them and later handed them over to the police for further investigation. Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered an FIR after recovering a satellite GPS device from two American citizens at Srinagar International Airport. J&K Police has formally arrested both of them.
Both the arrested people have been identified as Jeffrey Scott Prather (resident of Montana, USA), while the other is an Indian-American citizen of Haldar Kaushik (originally resident of Kolkata). Both of them were going to Delhi on Air India flight AI1893. According to officials, a satellite GPS device made in Taiwan was recovered from his luggage.
Budgam police registered FIR
A senior police officer said that the Budgam police have registered a case under FIR number 96/2026 (dated April 19, 2026) under section 43(3)(f) of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS), 2023 and have started further investigation.
This section deals with possession or use of prohibited communication devices (including satellite-based devices) without permission, in violation of legal restrictions imposed by the authorities. In cases where such devices are possessed or used without prior permission, this section is used.
This provision empowers law enforcement agencies to register the offence, seize the device and conduct investigation to ascertain the intention and purpose behind the possession or use of the device.
Investigation into travel history of both passengers continues
Sources said the travel history of the duo within the country is being examined while agencies are interrogating them to find out why they were carrying the device with them. Use of such satellite-enabled devices without prior permission is strictly prohibited in Jammu and Kashmir. As the investigation progresses, more information in this regard is expected to emerge.
It is banned in India
In India, use of satellite phones without government permission is completely prohibited. Satellite phones like Thuraya and Iridium come under strict regulations and can lead to detention, arrest and device confiscation if found in possession of them without permission. This action is taken under the Indian Telegraph Act and other security rules. Due to security reasons, the rules related to telecom in India are very strict. Even before this, action has been taken against foreign citizens and Indians in such cases.
Similar incident happened earlier also
In May last year, an American ophthalmologist was stopped at Puducherry airport after an Iridium satellite phone was found in his possession. He was stopped from boarding the flight to Hyderabad and an investigation was started into the matter. According to officials, even before this, several foreign nationals, including a Chinese national and a British officer, have been caught in different airports and hotels of the country for keeping satellite devices without permission.
To prevent such cases, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued instructions to all airlines coming to India on 30 January 2025. It was said that passengers should be informed about this restriction through announcements during flights, foreign offices and onboard magazines.
Also read: Tamilnadu News: Explosion in firecracker factory of Tamil Nadu, 12 workers died, CM Stalin expressed grief.
