Investigative Report: Unraveling the Satellite Imagery Connection to the 2025 Pahalgam Terror Attack
New Delhi, May 12, 2025 — A startling revelation has emerged from an in-depth investigation by The Print, shedding light on the potential role of satellite imagery in the planning of the devastating 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The attack, which claimed 26 lives, has now been linked to a series of high-resolution satellite image orders placed with Maxar Technologies, a leading US-based space tech company, just months before the incident.
The investigation, led by journalist Tirthak Saha,
uncovered that between June 2024 and February 2025, Maxar Technologies experienced an unprecedented spike in orders for satellite images of Pahalgam and its surrounding areas. This surge, which included at least 12 orders in a short span, was particularly alarming given the military sensitivity of the region. The cost of each image, starting at Rs 3 lakh and escalating with resolution, underscores the scale of the operation.
What makes this discovery even more disturbing is the involvement of Business Systems International (BSI) Pakistan, a geospatial firm that had recently partnered with Maxar. BSI Pakistan is led by Obaidullah Syed, a Pakistani-American businessman convicted in 2021 by a US federal court for illegally exporting high-performance computer hardware and software to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), an agency responsible for nuclear and ballistic missile development. Despite this criminal record, BSI Pakistan was onboarded as a partner by Maxar, raising serious questions about the vetting process and oversight.
The timeline of events is particularly incriminating. The orders for Pahalgam's satellite images began in June 2024, just months after BSI Pakistan's partnership with Maxar. These orders continued until as late as 10 days before the attack on April 22, 2025. Following the publication of The Print's report on May 9, 2025, Maxar promptly removed BSI Pakistan from its website, further fueling suspicions of a cover-up.
Defense analysts, experts, and ISRO scientists interviewed by The Print expressed grave concerns about the coincidence. Lieutenant General AK Bhatt (retd.), former Director General of Military Operations and currently Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), warned of the risks associated with high-resolution satellite imagery being misused by rogue elements. An ISRO scientist echoed these sentiments, stating, "The very fact that a Pakistani company was taken on as a partner by Maxar without any background check is alarming."
The investigation also revealed digital traces leading back to safe houses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, suggesting potential support from Pakistani intelligence operatives. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has since confirmed that the attack was carried out under directives from senior operatives of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
This exposé not only highlights the potential misuse of advanced technology in terrorist planning but also exposes significant lapses in international security protocols. The involvement of a convicted individual in sensitive technology transfers and the subsequent use of satellite imagery by a partner firm necessitate a reevaluation of partnerships and export controls by entities like Maxar Technologies.
As India grapples with the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, this investigative report serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent oversight and transparency in the global technology and defense sectors. The international community must address these vulnerabilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For further details, contact Tirthak Saha at The Print or visit their website for the full report.
