Strap: Militants stay in constant communication, receive directions and guidance from handlers in PoK
Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group uses high-end technology radio communication that allows its cadres to evade detection through interception of signals by intelligence agencies, cross over, enter and reside in the Indian side of Kashmir for weeks at least.
The arrest of Bahadur Ali alias Saifulla from Kupwara last month, discloses how the trained militant (just one among the several intercepted and caught alive) was guided to cross the Line of Control from Pakistan, received daily instructions and was directed to make attack all with the use of smart technology, without getting deciphered by the Indian security forces.
The National Investigation Agency, which has taken over the custody of Saifulla, has recovered half a dozen ICOM wireless sets and Garmin GPS navigation (both Japan made), along with binoculars, night vision device and compass including one of US make along with long list of medicine prescriptions, pills and syringes to treat injuries or serious wounds during the trek, food, dry-fruits and Indian currency. In addition to stocking its cadres with heavy arms like AK47, pistols, hand grenades and ammunition, the LeT is also known to employ sophisticated technology to enable its handlers based in Pakistan to communicate and direct its infiltrated cadres, like in the case of 26/11 attack that culminated into a three day siege in Mumbai.
Saifulla's interrogation by the NIA has revealed him to be part of a LeT trained militant who infiltrated the LoC around June with two more militants in the jungles of Handwara. The group received constant guidance and directions from a prefixed frequency on ICOM handsets from their handlers in Alpha 3 control center located on a high altitude peak somewhere in Muzaffarabad. A map of Kashmir, including the PoK, made out of rubber showed the routes that were corroborated by the GPS navigation that helped them cross over to Indian side around 11/12th of June. They move through the hilly terrain with the help of an eight Grid References, and even when Saifulla got separated from his two partners, he received constant directions to help him travel till Handwara alone.
The ICOM wireless device, equipped with antenna is particularly interesting, NIA officials said as it was modified to be able to transmit and receive messages without using SIM card in their phone. Thus, despite being in the Indian territory for over two months, including his one month stay in the jungles of Handwara, he managed to evade security forces and continue communication with the LeT leaders.
Intelligence agencies had deciphered use of such technology by LeT last year as they failed to tap into any communication through radio signals. Security forces recovered some damaged android phones during a raid last December which were found to be operated without SIM cards and text messages were sent using the ICOM HHRS system.
The ICOM IC V82 WHF Transreceiver, which Saifulla was carrying, is configured with an android operating system that can also be used to send and receive text messages. The wireless is modified for automatic search of signals and can cover reception area of a large frequency between 134-180 MHZ. This improvised android device is capable to generate its own signal with which one can stay connected off-grid and from long distance.
``Saifulla used to send SMS through such wireless sets that does not keep any record of communication. The messages transmitted through this frequency are not intercepted by the intelligence radio communication,'' NIA Spokesperson SK Singh said in a press conference held on Wednesday. LeT handlers
The NIA suspects these equipment to be supplied by the Pakistan military to LeT. ICOM radio communication devices can be easily procured from the market and online through its numerous agencies. But NIA officials said getting these equipment without military support is difficult and costly. ``We are investigating by what channels did these sets reached the hands of the LeT elements in Pakistan.'' The NIA has also contacted Japan based ICOM and is collecting information on its suppliers and customers in Pakistan.
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