US citizen, NRI detained at Srinagar airport for possessing satellite Phone

Srinagar: A US national, Jeffrey Scott Prather, along with an Indian who is settled in the US, were detained at the Srinagar International Airport on Sunday after authorities found Prather in possession of a satellite phone. Police have filed a case.

Jeffrey Scott Prather is a resident of Montana, USA, and the other person has been identified as Haldar Koushik, originally from Kolkata and is currently settled in the US. The officials said that they were intercepted during routine security checks, following which security agencies took them for questioning. The use of satellite phones is strictly regulated in Kashmir, and possession without prior authorisation is prohibited.

"A case under relevant sections of the Telecommunication Act will be registered. We are questioning them in detail and they may have to stay here overnight," said a senior police official. Officials said further probe is underway to ascertain the purpose of their visit and use of the device.


In a similar incident in August 2024, another US citizen was detained for carrying a satellite phone at the Srinagar International Airport.