Elon Musk Reveals Starlink Inactive in India Following Device Seizures

Elon Musk confirms Starlink services inactive in India after device seizures. Authorities seized Starlink devices in armed conflict and drug smuggling incidents. Starlink seeking approval to provide satellite broadband services in India.

Credit: STARLINK

One device was seized in an armed conflict zone, while the other was taken during a drug smuggling operation.

Starlink is in the process of seeking approval to offer satellite broadband services in India, with Musk's company working to address any security concerns that may arise during the approval process.

Credit: TESLA

In a recent statement on X, Musk clarified that "Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India" and emphasised that they were "never on in the first place." This comes after the Indian Army shared details of a search operation in Manipur state, where a satellite dish and receiver bearing the Starlink logo were among the items seized.

According to two military officers familiar with the operation, the device with the Starlink logo was allegedly being used by a militant group and may have been smuggled through the border with Myanmar, a country facing internal conflict.

Credit: STARLINK

Indian authorities had previously requested purchase details from Starlink after intercepting smugglers at sea with a significant amount of methamphetamine, suspecting that the internet device found in their possession was being used for navigation purposes.

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• Elon Musk confirms Starlink services inactive in India after device seizures

• Authorities seized Starlink devices in armed conflict and drug smuggling incidents

• Starlink seeking approval to provide satellite broadband services in India

Source: REUTERS