Harness Technology to combat terrorism

It has become utmost necessary that India should start working on developing target-oriented technology to contain the ever-increasing terror threats emanating from across the western borders.

Reports confirming that Pakistan is beaming mobile phone signals into J&K to help terror-mongers remain in touch with their mentors sitting in PoJK and Pakistan, besides communicating with their associates in J&K, have been giving sleepless nights to those responsible for containing terrorism, as the situation seems to be critical. This used to be the case in the past also when places near the border belts used to receive mobile signals originating from the rogue country, but the revelation this time has sounded alarm bells for the security forces and the agencies meant for curbing terrorism, as recent infiltration patterns, particularly in the south of the Pir Panjal range, have indicated that there has been a significant surge in telecom towers erected along the Line of Control (LoC) in PoJK, whose signals reach various Jammu jails where hardcore terrorists are lodged. The flat topography of the Jammu plains allows the frequencies to penetrate deep into Indian Territory.

In this context, signals have been traced in border areas of Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch, and as far inland as the highly sensitive Kot Bhalwal jail area in Jammu. There is a dire need to leverage technology to stop these manipulated stray signals from reaching places where they could be misused for carrying out anti-India activities. The best way to contain such signals is the extensive installation of mobile signal jammers along the entire border belt. Though the initiative will cost too much and require a rigorous exercise, there is no alternative, as securing borders from such nefarious machinations is of paramount importance.

Reportedly, the jammers used at present in some prisons in the terror-hit region have been unable to block the signals and choke illicit communication by inmates, as smuggled mobile devices reportedly continued to function inside blanketed prison zones. There are 14 jails in Jammu and Kashmir, besides two correctional homes.

The need of the hour is to make use of the latest technology available in the market to remain ahead of Pakistan in combating threats surfacing from the enemy side. The strategic placement of telecom towers by Pakistan along the International Border and Line of Control violates Article 45 of the Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations body which mandates that all 193 member states take the necessary steps to prevent the transmission of false, misleading or superfluous signals, and actively cooperate in locating unauthorized stations. The ITU’s Radio-communication Bureau has previously reiterated that such transmissions are strictly forbidden.