Two individuals, including an American national, were detained for carrying a prohibited satellite tracker, which is banned for civilian use in Kashmir.
Police arrested two individuals for carrying a satellite tracker at the Srinagar Airport. (Representative Image: PTI)
Two people, including a US national, were detained by security personnel at Srinagar International Airport for carrying a prohibited satellite tracker, which is banned for civilian use in the area. Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed an FIR after a satellite GPS device was recovered from two US nationals at Srinagar International Airport, sources said on Sunday.
The incident occurred when the two individuals were about to board an Air India flight (AI 1893) to Delhi. During routine security screening, officials seized a Taiwan-made GARMIN GPSMAP 67i device, which is suspected to be operating on unauthorised or altered communication frequencies.
Police have registered a case under Section 42(3)(f) of the Telecommunications Act, which deals with the intentional possession of radio equipment using unapproved networks.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the tracker was recovered from their luggage during security screening. The duo has been handed over to the police and is currently being questioned.
Top police sources confirmed the incident to CNN-News18, saying, “Yes, they were carrying a satellite tracker, which is prohibited. Such devices are sometimes carried by trekkers as well.”
One of the two detained persons has been identified as Jeffrey Scott, a resident of Montana, United States. The second individual was identified as Haldar Koushik, who lives in the United States.
Satellite trackers and GPS-based tracking technology are very common in the United States, used extensively for both commercial, personal, and safety purposes, but they are banned in Kashmir for security reasons.
Police have begun verifying individuals’ travel history and purpose of visit to check compliance with procedures, with further action to follow based on the inquiry findings.
Kashmir has been rapidly emerging as a premier trekking destination, drawing adventure seekers with its breathtaking Himalayan landscapes and diverse trails from India and other countries.
It remains to be seen if the US national was in Kashmir for tracking or any other purpose. Further details are awaited as the police questions the two individuals in the police station.
In January this year, a UK-based hiker was detained at the Delhi Airport for carrying a Garmin inReach GPS device, which is banned in India. Heather, who goes by Hiker Heather on Instagram, was on her way to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand when she was detained.
Garmin inReach, a Swiss-based satellite communication device, is banned in India as the country has prohibited the unauthorised use of satellite phones and devices to prevent security risks and illegal surveillance.
Jammu and Kashmir, India, India
April 19, 2026, 16:58 IST
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