"Starlink is not active in India," Elon Musk said, as he parried the charge of enabling "terrorists" in the Indian northeast after a Starlink device was spotted in a military seizure.
Musk's response came as a reply to the Indian Army, which posted two pictures on X with arms and ammunition seized from several areas of conflict-ridden Manipur.
One of the pictures showed a Starlink device on display among the weapons seized.
Several users responded to the post of Indian Army's Spear Corps, alleging Musk was allowing his devices to be used for terror activities.
"This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India," Musk responded to the allegations. "The beams were never on in the first place," he added.
Starlink, a space-based internet service owned by Musk, is seeking the Indian government's approval to provide satellite broadband services in the country.
According to Reuters, two military officers familiar with the search operation said the device with the Starlink logo was being used by a militant group.
They said the device was likely smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar, racked with civil violence for years.
Use of Starlink devices by rebel groups in Myanmar has been documented in the media. The company, however, does not operate in Myanmar.
Starlink was approached by Indian authorities earlier this month as well after smugglers were caught at sea with $4.2 billion worth of methamphetamine, one of the biggest such Indian seizures.
Police suspect the smugglers were using the company's internet device to navigate.
Image Source: Spear Corps India Army X account
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