A growing controversy is surrounding US-based space tech firm Maxar Technologies over its now-terminated partnership with Pakistan-based Business Systems International (BSI), after revelations that high-resolution satellite imagery of Kashmir’s Pahalgam region surged in the months leading up to a terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22, 2025. The connection, although not conclusively established, has prompted serious questions about the integrity of satellite data access and the screening of international partners in sensitive sectors.

The Kashmir Satellite Imagery Timeline That Sparked Alarm

According to a detailed report by The Print, an unusual surge in orders for satellite images of the Pahalgam area began in June 2024, shortly after Maxar Technologies entered into a commercial partnership with BSI. This demand peaked in February 2025, with multiple image access dates documented — specifically on February 12, 15, 18, 21, and 22. Following a lull in March, a single imagery order was placed on April 12, just ten days prior to the terrorist attack on April 22.

Post-attack, further requests for Pahalgam imagery were made on April 24 and 29, raising suspicions about the intent and usage of such data in relation to the timing of the attack.

Who is Obaidullah Syed? The Convicted Man Behind BSI

Adding fuel to the fire is the background of Obaidullah Syed, a Pakistani-American businessman and founder of BSI. In 2022, Syed was convicted in a US federal court for illegally exporting high-performance computing equipment to Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). This is a sanctioned body known to be integral to Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs.

Between 2006 and 2015, Syed reportedly ran an elaborate scheme involving misleading US-based tech manufacturers. He and his associates disguised exports as destined for Pakistani universities or domestic use, but they were actually rerouted to high-risk agencies, including PAEC and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) — both on the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for restricted trade.

Syed was ultimately sentenced to one year and one day in prison, and forced to forfeit $247,000 in criminal proceeds to the US government.

Why Was BSI Even Approved as a Maxar Partner?

Despite this serious criminal record, BSI was listed as an official partner on Maxar's commercial portal in 2023. The timeline becomes more critical here: BSI was onboarded, and shortly thereafter, requests for Kashmir’s Pahalgam satellite data began escalating.

Although Maxar has denied that BSI directly requested images of the region through either tasking or archival means, the correlation of events — the onboarding of a partner with a known history of export violations, the surge in sensitive data requests, and the terrorist activity that followed — is difficult to ignore.

Maxar Responds and Cuts Ties with BSI

In response to the report, Maxar Technologies issued a statement denying BSI’s involvement in any imagery requests related to Pahalgam. However, the company has since removed BSI from its official partner list, likely as a precautionary and reputational control measure.

Maxar’s swift action, while commendable, has come only after significant media exposure, leaving room for criticism about the due diligence process employed when selecting international partners — particularly those with clear export violation histories.

Global Security and Satellite Data Vulnerabilities

The incident sheds light on a broader and more disturbing trend: sensitive US-origin satellite data may be susceptible to foreign misuse, especially when entities with prior convictions are able to form partnerships with American firms.

While satellite imagery is commercially accessible to a wide range of customers, intentional usage for hostile activities, such as military planning or terror logistics, has now become a realistic threat vector. The imagery requests, placed methodically over a period of months, appear to align eerily with the timeline of reconnaissance potentially used for planning the April 22 attack.

This episode has reignited global debate on the need for stricter export controls, real-time surveillance of imagery orders, and partner vetting protocols — particularly for companies operating in high-conflict or geopolitically sensitive regions.

Why Pahalgam? The Terror Angle

Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu & Kashmir, has traditionally been seen as a relatively peaceful valley attracting both Indian and foreign visitors. The April 22 terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, shocked the nation and was widely condemned.

The fact that detailed satellite images of this region were being requested repeatedly by unknown entities prior to the attack lends weight to the theory that commercial satellite data may have been weaponised to aid the planning of the massacre.

While no direct link has yet been proven between BSI and the attack, the timing and nature of the imagery orders suggest at least a correlation, if not causation.

Key Security Takeaways from the Maxar-BSI Controversy

• Export Control Laws Must Be Enforced Rigorously: Companies dealing with sensitive data must ensure real-time background checks on partners, especially those from countries flagged for export violations.

• Satellite Imagery Should Have Dual-Use Restrictions: Just like chemical or nuclear materials, satellite data can also have dual-use potential. A better framework is needed for monitoring suspicious tasking patterns.

• Global Tech Partnerships Require Greater Oversight: With increasing global connectivity, vetting of international partnerships should not just be commercially focused but must include security intelligence checks.

What Happens Next? Calls for Policy Reform

The controversy has prompted calls for:

• Tighter collaboration between the US Department of Commerce and space tech companies

• Mandatory reporting of satellite imagery orders in conflict zones

• Revamped partner onboarding procedures with mandatory clearance through federal export compliance offices

There’s also pressure on Maxar to conduct an internal investigation to determine how BSI, despite a known criminal past, cleared onboarding.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for the Satellite Data Industry

This episode serves as a sobering reminder that satellite imagery, while invaluable, can become a tool for malicious actors if proper checks are not in place. The Maxar-BSI case underlines the importance of geopolitical awareness, export control enforcement, and commercial responsibility in the tech industry.

As commercial satellite capabilities expand globally, governments and tech firms alike must invest in safeguards that prevent data from falling into the wrong hands — especially when that data could play a role in costing innocent lives.