Satellite device sparks arrest of US national at Srinagar airport
A 52-year-old US National, hailing from Montana, along with his associate, was detained at the Srinagar International airport on Sunday after Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel detected a prohibited satellite communication device during routine screening of their baggage.
According to official sources, US National, identified as Jeffrey Scott Prather, and his associate, Haldar Koushik, were travelling from Srinagar to New Delhi by Air India flight when they were intercepted by the CISF personnel at the airport and detained for further questioning after the recovery of the satellite communication device from their handbag. The US national was found carrying a Garmin satellite tracker, a device that is restricted under local laws.
Use of such equipment requires prior authorisation from authorities, and unauthorised possession is considered a violation of the law.
According to unconfirmed reports, after preliminary investigations in the matter, a case FIR No. 96/2026 dated 19-04-2026 under Section 42(3)(F) was lodged at Police Post, Humhama in Srinagar.
According to Section 42(3)(F) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (India) , a person who willfully possesses radio equipment knowing that it uses unauthorised or tampered telecommunication identifiers is subject to penalties.
Till the time of filing the report, the police authorities were interrogating the US national and had not commented on record.
