Reports of Starlink equipment being used in places like Manipur suggest unauthorized or improvised usage of the technology, given its current limited availability in India.
TFM Report
In a significant breakthrough, security forces in Manipur uncovered a high-tech communication device linked to global satellite internet services during a combing operation in Keirao Khunou, Imphal East district. Alongside a cache of arms and ammunition, including grenades, the forces seized a Starlink router and antenna, a product of Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, which provides uninterrupted global internet and communication services, said a reliable source.
A Technological Advantage for Militants
This is the first instance of Starlink equipment being recovered in the region, signaling the use of advanced communication technologies by rebel groups. Starlink, known for its capability to function from remote terrains, allows users to bypass traditional internet shutdowns, ensuring constant connectivity. This revelation highlights the sophistication of the militants’ communication networks despite the state government’s internet shutdown imposed during the ongoing conflict.
Arms and Equipment with Foreign Links
The seizure included arms and ammunition of diverse international makes, believed to be sourced from the South Asian black market. Rebels in Manipur have reportedly been using high-tech weapons, including anti-drone guns, as evidenced by photographs circulated in the media. Experts suggest that such advanced weaponry and technology hint at possible involvement of foreign elements supplying resources to ethnic armed rebels and factions for undisclosed motives.
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Implications of the Seizure
Political analysts had also flagged this development as indicative of a transnational conspiracy influencing the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. The presence of Starlink equipment, in particular, underscores the possibility of external support for armed groups, enhancing their operational capabilities despite state-imposed restrictions, said a source.
Strategic Concerns
The discovery raises critical questions about the role of global technological systems like Starlink in conflict zones and their accessibility to non-state actors. It also prompts discussions about the nexus between international arms suppliers, insurgent groups, and transnational political agendas affecting the region.
As investigations continue, the seizure underscores the evolving challenges of modern conflict, where technology and sophisticated weaponry play a central role in exacerbating tensions and evading conventional state control mechanisms. Security experts are now calling for enhanced surveillance of such technologies and stricter measures to prevent their misuse in conflict-prone areas like Manipur.
Starlink not fully operational in India
It may be mentioned that Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet service, is not fully operational in India, although it is available in many countries worldwide, including several in South and Southeast Asia like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. In India, Starlink is still in its beta testing phase and awaits regulatory approvals. Users can sign up for pre-orders, but the service has not been widely deployed yet.
The system offers high-speed internet connectivity, even in remote areas where traditional infrastructure is unavailable. Its use for mobile telephony is emerging globally, but its adoption in India remains limited due to regulatory hurdles and high costs (approximately ₹7,000 monthly for subscription plus initial hardware costs). Neighboring countries also do not currently have widespread Starlink mobile telephony.
If there are reports of Starlink equipment being used in places like Manipur, it could suggest unauthorized or improvised usage of the technology, given its current limited availability in India. This highlights potential gaps in regulation and monitoring of advanced communication systems in conflict zones.