Author: Dinesh Manhotra
Publication: Daily Excelsior
Date: June 6, 2004
URL: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/04june06/news.htm#2
Apprehension aired by the Defence
authorities before giving green signal for starting cellular services in
this border State is proving right as terrorist outfits are now utilising
mobile services, instead of wireless system, to strengthen their communication
network.
Recovery of a high-tech Thuraya
Mobile phone from a slain terrorist after a fierce encounter near LoC is
a clear indication that militants are adopting advance communication services.
Mentors across the border have been
equipping terrorists with advanced and sophisticated equipment to meet
the challenge of the Indian Army. Recoveries made from the slain terrorists
at Mengana indicated that on one hand important equipment have been provided
to the terrorists to pierce through the fencing while on the other hand
advanced equipment given to them to strengthen their communication network.
Not only high-tech mobile was recovered
from the terrorist but imported gloves and insulated sleeves were recovered
from the possession of the slain ultras.
"It is for the first time that a
high-tech mobile has been recovered from a slain terrorist", informed Brigadier
R K Sharma of Dah Division, adding, "it is clear indication that strong
organisation has been working across the border to provide advanced equipment
to the terrorists active in this side".
Pointing towards mobile set, Brig
Sharma said that it was advanced equipment through which they (terrorists)
can talk to any part of the world. "When the slain terrorist was cornered
by the troops he deliberately smashed its sim card by badly scratching
to hide identity of the company", he said.
Giving details about Thuraya Services
in Pakistan, defence authorities said that Thuraya began its services in
Pakistan on January 1, 2002. Thuraya Phones and access are available with
Pakistan Telecom and its distributors in Pakistan has established a strong
distribution network.
The mobile set make use of two Thuraya
Satellite presently in Geo Synchronous orbit and has coverage area in 100
countries.
Giving details about other features
and functions of Thuraya mobile, defence authorities said that it has user
friendly soft key operation with GSM, satellite and GPS facility. It has
GPS location and storage of 25 GPS positions and most important of all
its user interface with nine languages including Arabic, Persian and Hindi.
Thuraya mobile has facility of date
and fax upto 9600 bps and short message service facility also.
Pointing towards other recoveries,
Brig Sharma disclosed that it was also first time that three pairs of insulated
sleeves besides three pairs of imported gloves were recovered from the
terrorists. "It is not possible to cut the fencing with naked hands so
they (infiltrators) have come with insulated sleeves and gloves with cutter
to pierce through the fencing", he said.
Other recoveries made from the terrorists
included one I COM set, three Antenna, three Matric Code and chart, two
duracell batteries, 42 pencil cells, one radio, five pairs of socks, three
jackets, one ice axe, three ruck sack and one walking stick.
Meanwhile two terrorist were eliminated
by the security forces during counter exfiltration operation. Army and
local police have launched a joint operation. Slain terrorists were part
of the same group of which three exfiltrators were killed on Friday thereby
security forces eliminated five exfiltrators of one group in a continuous
operation of two days.
Identity of the slain terrorists
has been established as Abu Abdullah and Mohammed Akhtar of Kasur Pakistan
and both of them were terrorists of Laskher-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. Recoveries
made from the killed terrorists include two AK rifle, seven magazines,
130 rounds, AK ammunitions and one ICON radio set.
