Terrorists are using hi-tech technology in Jammu and Kashmir, to help in avoiding siege by security forces

Jammu Kashmir Terror News: During the last week, terrorists managed to escape the siege of security forces after inflicting casualties on nearby soldiers in South Kashmir. An Army jawan was martyred while laying siege to some suspicious houses in Anantnag's Kakran area on Saturday, raising concerns over the operation. Now intelligence sources have confirmed that hi-tech technology from war-torn Afghanistan has reached the hands of militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

Thermal imaging devices help terrorists escape from security circles

According to security forces involved in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, at least fifteen specialized electronic image and Wi-Fi-enabled thermal imaging devices of Iridium satellite phones used by US-led allied forces in Afghanistan have been found. . Thermal imaging devices help a terrorist to escape from the security cordon, especially during the night.

Some signals from Iridium satellite phones have been found in cyberspace since February 2022. Starting from North Kashmir, now the use of satellite phones has also been confirmed in some parts of South Kashmir. These satellite phones could be part of a consignment dumped by allied forces while leaving Afghanistan or snatched by the Taliban or militants fighting there. However, the officials assured us that there is no need to panic, as the movement of these phones is being closely monitored and those using them will soon be detained or neutralized.

Officials said bodies like the National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) and Defense Intelligence Agencies (DIA) have been tasked to find and provide real-time information about the presence of these satellite phones in the Kashmir Valley. Following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) had previously banned the use of Iridium and Thuraya satellite phones and infrastructure, and in 2012 banned them completely under the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act.

Equipment brought to Kashmir from Afghanistan

Passengers importing satellite telephones as baggage are required to declare them to customs upon arrival at immigration and customs checkpoints. In addition, satellite phones declared by Customs may be allowed to be approved for use by the Government of India from the Department of Telecommunications subject to production of permission. Electronic evidence of thermal imaging devices that can be connected to Wi-Fi has also been found from some encounter sites. This equipment is not even with the Pakistani army, so it is probably brought to Kashmir from Afghanistan.

Such equipment is used by terrorists to find their way during cordon and search operations, especially during the night. The device captures the image of security personnel giving an overview of the general area outside their whereabouts from the heat generated by the body. As a precautionary measure, the security forces now carry jammers along with other devices to block all signals so that the terrorists do not find any way to escape from the area.

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