Militant groups in ethnic violence-hit Manipur have reportedly been using Elon Musk’s satellite-based Starlink devices to bypass internet and mobile network shutdowns, despite the devices being unlicensed in India, according to The Guardian. The report, published on Friday, cites sources from armed groups and the police and comes shortly after SpaceX founder Elon Musk clarified that Starlink satellite beams are disabled over India, addressing claims of their usage in the northeastern state.

In a recent raid conducted by security forces in Keirao Khunou, Imphal East district, internet devices, arms, and ammunition were seized, including a Starlink satellite internet device recovered by the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles.

Although Starlink is not authorised to operate in India due to security concerns, it is legally permitted in neighbouring Myanmar, as highlighted in The Guardian report. A leader of the Meitei separatist militant group, the People’s Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA), disclosed to the publication that Starlink devices were employed to access the internet during periods of internet blackouts imposed by authorities during the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur.

The source further explained that the group initially used the Starlink device in Myanmar but later discovered it worked across the border in Manipur as well, the report added

“Our initial information suggests that Starlink indeed works in some areas of Manipur, particularly in some areas that are closer to the Myanmar border,” The Guardian quoted a senior police officer in Manipur as saying.

The Guardian report noted, however, that it remains unclear how many armed groups in Manipur have access to Starlink satellite internet. Four other armed groups—two from the Kuki side and one from the Meitei side—denied using Starlink for internet access.

Two military officers involved in the search operation, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Reuters that the device bearing the Starlink logo was being used by a militant group. Police suspect that smugglers may have used the device for navigation, Reuters reported.

The device is believed to have been smuggled into Manipur through the porous border with Myanmar, which is in the grip of a civil war. Media reports have documented the use of Starlink devices by rebel groups in Myanmar, even though the company does not officially operate there, the report added.

Elon Musk wrote on X that "Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India" and were “never on in the first place”.

Elon Musk’s clarification followed a December 13 post by the Indian Army detailing a search operation in Manipur, a state grappling with communal conflict since early 2023. The post included images of seized weapons alongside a satellite dish and receiver displaying the Starlink logo.

Notably, Starlink has been seeking regulatory approval to provide satellite broadband services in India. As part of this process, the Musk-owned company is reportedly working to address potential security concerns raised by Indian authorities.

Earlier in December, Indian authorities sent a legal request to Starlink seeking purchase details of a device discovered during a major anti-smuggling operation. Police intercepted smugglers at sea with $4.2 billion worth of methamphetamine, marking one of India’s largest drug seizures, Reuters reported.

In a separate incident the same month, the Indian Coast Guard reported finding a Starlink device onboard a boat near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The boat, which was involved in smuggling methamphetamine, had reportedly been using the device for communication and navigation.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has reportedly directed the Department of Telecommunications to investigate the matter and take “appropriate steps.”

Questions sent to Starlink by Indian authorities regarding the recovered devices did not receive a response, the report stated, citing unnamed sources. A source quoted by ToI revealed that the government had written to Starlink seeking details about the ownership of the devices recovered from drug smugglers near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the company reportedly declined to provide the information, citing data privacy laws.