Srinagar, Apr 19 (NVI): A US national and an NRI were detained today at the Srinagar International Airport in Kashmir after a satellite phone, banned in India, was recovered from their luggage during routine security screening, officials said.
The American national has been identified as Jeffrey Scott Pather while his accomplice has been identified as Koushik Haldar, orginally from West Bengal but settled in the US.
They were immediately handed over to the police for investigation, they said.
Police said that both individuals are being questioned to ascertain the purpose of carrying the device and other related aspects.
Officials said the US Embassy in Delhi is being informed.
A satellite phone, also call a SatPhone, is a type of mobile communication set which can connect with a normal telephone network through a satellite, instead of the terrestrial cell network.
Such type of phone is generally used in areas which do not have terrestrial network coverage.
Possession and use of a Satellite phone are banned in India for security reasons as terrorists, sponsored and supported by Pakistan, often used these sets to avoid detection. (NVI)
