On the afternoon of September 17, 2024, at exactly 3:30 PM, thousands of explosions erupted simultaneously in multiple cities across Lebanon and Syria. This unprecedented attack involved pagers that Hezbollah fighters used for communication, which began to explode one after another. Approximately five thousand detonations were reported, resulting in 11 casualties and over 4,000 injuries. Israel's intelligence agency Mossad is being accused of orchestrating the attack.
Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amini, located in Beirut, also fell victim to this pager blast, losing one of his eyes. No official entity is taking responsibility for the attack, and while Israel is being blamed, the exact method and perpetrators remain unclear. Would such an event be possible in India? And if so, what would India's response be?
Read Also:
Were the Pager Blasts a Cyber Attack?
Experts believe that remotely hacking pagers to cause explosions is highly improbable. The prevailing theory suggests that Israel infiltrated the pager supply chain and equipped the devices with explosives, effectively turning them into weapons.
Source: aajtak
Physical access to the pagers seems to have been obtained, suggesting this is not a case of cyber hacking. If you're wondering whether your mobile devices could be weaponized by a foreign entity, rest assured for the moment. Unlike smartphones, these pagers are electronic devices, not digital ones, indicating an instance of electronic warfare.
If Not Hacking, How Were the Pager Blasts Executed?
Hezbollah acquired these pagers through foreign channels. It is believed that Israel might have obtained intelligence regarding the new shipment of pagers, involving Mossad agents to modify them physically for remote detonation—a synchronized trigger for multiple devices.
Read Also:
Who Manufactured These Exploding Pagers?
Most of the exploding pagers were produced by Taiwanese company Gold Apollo. However, the company denies manufacturing them, claiming they were actually made by European company BAC under a Gold Apollo license. The supply chain played a crucial role, selecting a lesser-known company to avoid detection.
Source: aajtak
Why Was Hezbollah Using Outdated Pager Technology?
The global community is aware of Israel's capabilities in intercepting, hacking, and tracking modern digital communication systems such as the Internet, smartphones, and landlines. To avoid surveillance, Hezbollah opted for outdated pager technology, making hacking and tracking much more difficult.
How has India Prepared to Prevent Such Attacks?
India has already taken measures to prevent such attacks. The government closely monitors public communication hardware and mitigates potential threats. For instance, China’s entry into India’s 5G technology was blocked to avoid security risks.
It is essential to avoid using foreign technology, especially from adversary nations, to prevent such attacks. Recently, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India is developing its own advanced 5G technology, beneficial for long-term national security. He emphasized the need to stop using imported equipment that could pose security risks, like CCTV cameras linked to China.
