The investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack has uncovered a deeper dimension of cross-border terrorism, one that operates beyond India's regular surveillance reach. As reported by The Economic Times, Indian security agencies have discovered that many foreign terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir in the past year were using equipment connected to China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System or BDS, which is a highly accurate network managed by the China National Space Administration. Devices powered by China’s BeiDou satellite system, like handheld navigators and satellite-based communication tools, could help militants enter, plan, and move within India without needing traditional mobile networks. Unlike GPS or cell towers, BeiDou’s design, which is focused on Asia, provides more precise location data and is harder to disrupt.

What makes BeiDou different is that it operates entirely independently, without needing local infrastructure support. It can provide accurate, real-time navigation even in remote areas where mobile networks don’t work. Specific models also support two-way satellite messaging, allowing users, like militants, to communicate without leaving any trace on regular networks. Experts say it's possible to break into these systems, but doing so usually takes days and often requires help from international partners.

This situation indicates an entirely new red flag. As part of the same investigation, surveillance systems detected signals from a Huawei smartphone, possibly from the Mate 60 Pro or P60 series, near Pahalgam around the time of the attack. This device is now undergoing forensic analysis. Unlike earlier Thuraya satellite phones, which were large and easy to spot, Huawei’s phones integrate satellite technology directly into normal-looking devices. These phones connect to China’s Tiantong-1 satellite network, bypassing Indian telecom systems entirely. They don't need an external antenna or a SIM card linked to Indian carriers, allowing them to operate privately even when cellular networks are down.

Older versions of satellite phones, like Thuraya, were easy to spot because of their bulky size and visible antennas. However, Huawei's phones look simply like regular smartphones, making them harder to identify. These devices enable militants to send texts, make calls, and share location data without detection, even during network shutdowns or blackouts. Different Chinese brands like OPPO, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Honor are also developing phones with similar satellite capabilities. With limited regulation on satellite messaging, Indian intelligence may struggle to intercept terrorist communications.

While India's ground-level intelligence has improved, the rise of encrypted, foreign-operated satellite technology, especially from China, poses a new challenge.