The April 22, 2025, massacre in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, has brought to light the vulnerabilities surrounding the use of commercial satellite imagery for intelligence. A major U.S. satellite imagery provider, Maxar Technologies, has come under scrutiny after a surge in orders for high-resolution images of Pahalgam and surrounding areas, with multiple requests placed in the months leading up to the attack. The incident has raised critical questions about the risks posed by the easy availability of such imagery, the vetting process for international partners, and the implications for national security.
Surge in Orders for Pahalgam Imagery
Maxar Technologies, a leader in high-definition satellite imagery, experienced an unusual spike in orders for images of Pahalgam between June 2024 and February 2025. Orders for high-resolution images, essential for military surveillance and infrastructure monitoring, peaked in February 2025, with a final order placed just ten days before the attack. While the identities of the clients behind these orders remain unknown, the coincidence of their timing with the attack has sparked suspicions among defense analysts. Though no direct link has been established between these orders and the terrorist assault, experts have expressed concern that such detailed imagery could have been exploited to plan the attack.
Business Systems International Pvt Ltd (BSI) and Maxar’s Partnership
Adding complexity to the situation is Maxar’s partnership with Business Systems International Pvt Ltd (BSI), a Pakistani geospatial firm owned by Obaidullah Syed, a convicted Pakistani-American businessman. Syed was sentenced in 2022 for illegally exporting high-performance computing equipment to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), a body responsible for Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs. Despite Syed’s criminal background, BSI remained a partner with Maxar.
The partnership raised alarms due to BSI’s role in sensitive exports, and its continued involvement with Maxar after Syed’s conviction became a point of concern. Though there is no evidence that BSI placed the orders for Pahalgam imagery, the timing and the firm’s history raised questions about the adequacy of Maxar’s vetting process for its international partners. After the controversy erupted, Maxar removed BSI from its partner list, though this action came only after the media attention.
Maxar’s Response and Accountability
Maxar Technologies denied that BSI placed orders for Pahalgam imagery and emphasized that it does not share client information without permission. However, the company’s delayed response to the issue and its weak vetting process for international partners have drawn criticism. The case underscores the growing risks posed by commercial satellite imagery, which is increasingly available to anyone willing to pay for it. Without adequate checks, this powerful tool can be misused by rogue elements or adversaries to carry out hostile activities, as was allegedly the case in Pahalgam.
Risks to National Security
The Pahalgam incident highlights the security risks of relying on foreign satellite imagery providers. While such imagery is indispensable for military and surveillance operations, the availability of high-resolution images to commercial clients increases the potential for misuse. As more private space-tech companies enter the market, governments must ensure stronger regulations and safeguards surrounding the use of geospatial data, especially in sensitive regions.
India, which heavily depends on foreign space-tech companies for geospatial intelligence, must take a proactive approach to secure its data. This could involve developing self-reliant systems for satellite surveillance or pushing for international regulations on the trade of high-resolution imagery.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Surveillance Practices
The Pahalgam satellite imagery controversy serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the global surveillance landscape. While Maxar Technologies has removed BSI from its partner list, the incident raises larger questions about the commercial availability of sensitive satellite data and the need for stricter controls. Governments must tighten regulations and ensure that foreign satellite providers uphold stringent security standards to prevent misuse by hostile actors. This incident is a call to action for the international community to establish robust protocols for managing the risks associated with satellite surveillance.
