US Citizen Detained At Srinagar Airport, Satellite Phone Recovered; Interrogation Underway

Srinagar: Two individuals, including an American citizen, have been detained at Srinagar International Airport during a routine security check. This action was taken after a satellite phone was recovered from their possession. Both individuals are currently being interrogated following their detention. According to sources, the American national has been identified as Jeffrey Scott Prather. He was traveling with Kaushik Haldar, a resident of Kolkata.

It is reported that, in addition to the American citizen, the second individual taken into custody is a resident of Kolkata. While the two were undergoing security checks at the airport, a satellite phone was discovered in their luggage, immediately alerting the officials. When they failed to provide satisfactory explanations during questioning, both were taken into custody. Further interrogation of the pair is underway as authorities attempt to ascertain the origin of the satellite phone and the purpose for which it was being used.

Notably, the use of any type of satellite phone is prohibited in India. Such devices may only be utilized if one has obtained a prior license from the Department of Telecommunications. Furthermore, any individual arriving in India with a satellite phone in their luggage is required to declare it in advance.