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Huawei’s satellite phones, like the Mate 60 Pro and P60 series, feature internal antennas and chips that allow satellite texting, calling, and internet access without external equipment, making them difficult to visually identify and posing serious security challenges.
In a chilling development following the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Indian security agencies have detected the movement of a suspected Huawei satellite phone in the vicinity during the time of the assault. This discovery has intensified fears over the use of advanced insurgent communication tools in Jammu and Kashmir, especially amid rising India-China tech tensions.
The device, believed to be a model like the Huawei Mate 60 Pro or P60 series, is equipped with built-in satellite communication capabilities. These phones connect via China’s Tiantong-1 satellite network, operated by China Telecom, and can facilitate encrypted satellite texting, calling, internet access, and even media transmission—without the need for external antennas or specialized gear. Their inconspicuous design makes them nearly impossible to visually identify, further complicating efforts by Indian authorities to intercept illegal activity.
The potential use of a Huawei satellite phone by operatives marks a worrying shift in how militant groups are leveraging technology to evade detection. Unlike conventional mobile devices, these illegal satellite phones in India do not rely on local telecom networks, making it difficult for surveillance systems to track or disrupt communication in real time. This loophole could pose a serious national security threat by enabling cross-border operatives to coordinate attacks without leaving digital footprints on Indian infrastructure.
Indian security agencies suspect that a Huawei satellite-enabled smartphone used during the recent Pahalgam terror attack may have been smuggled from Pakistan or another foreign country. Unlike bulkier Thuraya satellite phones, Huawei’s models like the Mate 60 Pro resemble regular smartphones, making them nearly impossible to detect visually. These devices offer covert communication capabilities through China’s Tiantong-1 satellite network, bypassing traditional Indian surveillance systems.
The ongoing probe is focused on tracing the device’s origin and potential handlers. Experts warn that other Chinese brands may also be introducing similar satellite communication tools, posing long-term challenges to India’s counterterrorism efforts.
Given that Huawei is a banned entity in India due to security concerns, the discovery raises pressing questions about how such devices entered the country and who may be facilitating their use. Indian intelligence officials are now expanding their probe into the origin of the device and exploring whether more such tools are being smuggled into conflict-prone regions.
The device, believed to be a model like the Huawei Mate 60 Pro or P60 series, is equipped with built-in satellite communication capabilities. These phones connect via China’s Tiantong-1 satellite network, operated by China Telecom, and can facilitate encrypted satellite texting, calling, internet access, and even media transmission—without the need for external antennas or specialized gear. Their inconspicuous design makes them nearly impossible to visually identify, further complicating efforts by Indian authorities to intercept illegal activity.
The potential use of a Huawei satellite phone by operatives marks a worrying shift in how militant groups are leveraging technology to evade detection. Unlike conventional mobile devices, these illegal satellite phones in India do not rely on local telecom networks, making it difficult for surveillance systems to track or disrupt communication in real time. This loophole could pose a serious national security threat by enabling cross-border operatives to coordinate attacks without leaving digital footprints on Indian infrastructure.
Indian security agencies suspect that a Huawei satellite-enabled smartphone used during the recent Pahalgam terror attack may have been smuggled from Pakistan or another foreign country. Unlike bulkier Thuraya satellite phones, Huawei’s models like the Mate 60 Pro resemble regular smartphones, making them nearly impossible to detect visually. These devices offer covert communication capabilities through China’s Tiantong-1 satellite network, bypassing traditional Indian surveillance systems.
The ongoing probe is focused on tracing the device’s origin and potential handlers. Experts warn that other Chinese brands may also be introducing similar satellite communication tools, posing long-term challenges to India’s counterterrorism efforts.
Given that Huawei is a banned entity in India due to security concerns, the discovery raises pressing questions about how such devices entered the country and who may be facilitating their use. Indian intelligence officials are now expanding their probe into the origin of the device and exploring whether more such tools are being smuggled into conflict-prone regions.
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