Police sources said that on Sunday, airport security recovered a satellite communicator and GPS device from the possession of a traveller during the standard security check at the airport. (File image)Two US citizens were detained in Srinagar after the airport security recovered a satellite communicator and GPS device from their luggage, officials said.After initial questioning by airport security, the duo were handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police for questioning.Police sources said that on Sunday, airport security recovered a satellite communicator and GPS device from the possession of a traveller during the standard security check at the airport.The traveller was identified as Jeffry Scott Prather, a citizen of the United States. He was immediately detained along with his fellow traveller, who police sources said is a US citizen of Indian origin.According to sources, a Garmin satellite communicator and a Garmin GPS device were found in Jefery Scott Prather’s luggage. The GPS device was manufactured in Taiwan. The devices work through the Iridium satellite network, which covers the entire globe and provides access in the most remote areas, including high-altitude regions.The use of satellite phones, especially Thuraya and Iridium phones, is prohibited in India without permission from the government. The illegal possession of these devices can lead to a fine, arrest and seizure under the Indian Telegraph Act.Sources said that the US citizen was scheduled to travel from Srinagar to New Delhi on an Air India flight on Sunday. But when he was stopped for routine screening at the airport, security personnel found a banned satellite phone and device in his luggage.Story continues below this adThe airport staff immediately detained him and his associate. Sources said that police are investigating the purpose of their visit to Kashmir and the intended use of the satellite communicator and GPS device.Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd