¡®This is false¡¯: Elon Musk reacts after Indian Army recovers Starlink-like devices from insurgents in Manipur
The Indian Army and the Assam Rifles recovered a Starlink-like satellite dish and router from a Meitei insurgent group in Manipur, India. As soon as the pictures surfaced on social media, it grabbed the attention of people claiming it to be manufactured by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Read more.?
In a remarkable development, the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles have recovered a Starlink satellite dish and router that are manufactured by American tech billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX from a Meitei insurgent group in Manipur, India.
As soon as photos of the seized items were shared by the Spear Corps of the Indian Army on X (formerly called Twitter), SpaceX founder Elon Musk refuted the claims, and called them false and said ¡°Starlink satellite beams were turned off over India.¡±
The incident has raised concerns over the use of the Internet by insurgents to coordinate attacks and communicate tactical information even during times of internet blackout, reported NDTV.
Online chatter intensifies¡ªhere's how Elon Musk reacted
Following this, the Spear Corps of the Indian Army shared photos of the recovered items on X; as soon as the photos surfaced, some social media users quickly noted that one of the devices in the photos had a "Starlink logo" on it.
Acting on specific intelligence, troops of #IndianArmy and #AssamRifles formations under #SpearCorps carried out joint search operations in the hill and valley regions in the districts of Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East and Kagpokpi in #Manipur, in close coordination with¡ pic.twitter.com/kxy7ec5YAE
¡ª SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) December 16, 2024
One X user wrote, ¡°@Starlink is being used by terrorists. Hope, Elon @elonmusk looks into it and helps control misuse of this technology." To which Musk replied that Starlink is not available in India and doesn't operate here. However, the American company has applied for regulatory clearance.
This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India.
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 17, 2024
There was "one internet satellite antenna, one internet satellite router, and 20 meters (approx.) of FTP cables," among the seized items revealed by the state police, reported PTI.
How did the incident unfold?
The security forces also recovered some internet devices along with arms and ammunition while conducting a raid in Keirao Khunou in the Imphal East district.
As per reports, a joint team of security forces found the Starlink dish and router along with an MA4 assault rifle, grenades, and bullets from Imphal East district's Khunou on December 13. The police personnel called the device "internet satellite antenna and internet satellite router.".
The officials said that the recovery of the Starlink-like device has prompted agencies to investigate the matter and find out how the equipment found its way to the strife-torn state. Over 250 people have been killed, and thousands are homeless in the community violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups in Manipur since May of the previous year.
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Sneha is a dedicated writer with a passion for storytelling that enthrals and inspires the readers. With a background in Health and Wellness, she brings a unique perspective to every narrative. As a journalist, she aims to find solutions with authenticity and credibility.
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