Militants Bypassing Mobile Evesdropping in Jammu and Kashmir

Militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir are reported to be using mobile phones which belong to high ranking officials as they are not routinely monitored by India's security services. The phone call recipients then pass on the messages to the militants by other means.

"Militant commanders used cell phones of 51 persons, including a former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), for their conversations with Pak[istan]-based headquarters and other commanders in Jammu and Kashmir," an unnamed official of an intelligence agency told the Economic Times newspaper.

The militants are claimed to be actively seeking to expand their access to mobile phones owned by officials - particularly in rural areas where monitoring of phones calls is more commonplace.

Mobile phone services are controlled near the troubled province of Kashmir, in the operational circles of Jammu - which is disputed between India and Pakistan. Mobile phone coverage is forbidden along the demarcation line between the two countries.

On the web: Economic Times

Posted to the site on 16th July 2008