According to an authentic report, surveillance systems identified the presence of a “Huawei” satellite phone in the vicinity during the incident.

NIA is now probing a possible Huawei link in the Pahalgam terror attack, as part of a broader investigation

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has widened its probe into the Pahalgam terror attack, by examining the suspected use of a Huawei satellite-enabled smartphone in the region.

Indian security agencies detected the movement of the device near Pahalgam around the time of the April 22 attack, raising concerns about new methods of covert communication in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a report, surveillance systems identified the presence of a Huawei satellite phone in the vicinity during the incident. Officials suspect that the device may have been smuggled into India, possibly from Pakistan or another foreign country.

The Chinese Huawei, a banned company from operating in India, manufactures smartphones with built-in satellite communication features such as the Mate 60 Pro, P60 series, and Nova 11 Ultra.

These devices are connected to China’s Tiantong-1 satellite network through internal antennas, enabling voice and text services even without any cellular coverage. The use of such phones which were designed primarily for emergency communication, bypasses traditional mobile networks and surveillance systems.

The most worrisome part is that unlike the conventional Thuraya satellite phones previously used by militants, which have visible external antennas, Huawei's satellite-enabled smartphones resemble standard devices, making visual detection difficult.

This development has now presented new challenges for Indian security agencies tasked with monitoring unauthorized communications.

The NIA's investigation is now focused on tracing the origin, movement, and handlers of the detected Huawei device. The forensic teams are analyzing technical intercepts, witness testimonies, and local networks to determine whether the phone was used directly by the attackers or support groups operating in the area.

Security experts have pointed to the broader trend of Chinese manufacturers equipping smartphones with satellite capabilities. Brands such as Honor, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo are producing devices compatible with Tiantong-1, a development that could complicate counterterrorism efforts in future conflicts for India.

As per another report, forty-eight hours after the Pahalgam terror attack, speculation is rife that Pakistan army chief Gen Asim Munir and his family have fled the country. It is believed that Chief of the Army Staff Munir, DG ISPR Lt Gen Asim Malik, and CJCSC Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza have left Pakistan and have relocated to the United Kingdom and US' New Jersey. It is said that the families used private jets to reach their destination.

These speculations have come after India imposed strict norms on Pakistan and Pakistani nationals in the country following the dastardly attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadows that claimed at least 26 lives. Initially, Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility, and days later they shook their hands off, saying it wasn't them and were victims of 'hacking'.

The statement they issued read, "The Resistance Front (TRF) unequivocally denies any involvement in the Pahalgam incident. Any attribution of this act to TRF is false, hasty, and part of an orchestrated campaign to malign the Kashmiri resistance. Shortly after the attack in Pahalgam, a brief and unauthorized message was posted from one of the digital platforms."

Gen Munir's disappearance from the public eye has gotten social media speculating about the matter; platforms have been abuzz with theories and more. Time will tell what has transpired and if the Pak Chief Army Staff has gone into hiding.