Srinagar: Two US nationals were detained at Srinagar Airport in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday after security officials discovered a Garmin satellite phone in their luggage during a routine security check.
The individuals, identified as Jeoffrey Scott from Montana and Haldar Kaushik, were questioned by airport security personnel and subsequently handed over to authorities for further investigation.
The use of satellite phones is strictly regulated in India and requires prior approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Carrying such devices without authorization is a violation of Indian law.
Authorities are currently investigating the purpose of the satellite phone in their luggage, whether they had obtained necessary permissions, and how they acquired the device, according to an Asianet News report.
The region where the phone was confiscated—the Kashmir Valley—is highly sensitive, raising additional security concerns.
If found guilty of possessing the satellite phone without proper authorization, the US nationals could face legal action under the Indian Telegraph Act and other security laws.