Monday, December 2, 2002
US installs cell phone intelligence network in Pakistan
Indo-Asian News Service Islamabad, December 2
US intelligence agencies have established a network in Pakistan through a cellular services provider to capture members of the Al Qaeda and other terrorists, Online news agency reports.
>From now on, a satellite system will capture data, conversations and
recorded messages conducted on mobile phones linked through the Mobilink
network and transmit these to US security and intelligence agencies.
The new system has been devised in collaboration with the sponsors of
Mobilink.
Special chips will also be used in mobile phones for intelligence purposes. Those subscribers who are on the US list of suspects have already been directed to get their existing cell chips changed.
Sources said that US agencies have established their own networks to capture terrorists in Pakistan and are using a variety of means for this.
One method is to monitor the transmission of messages from wireless and other equipment. The US aerially monitors border areas in Pakistan. Also, the telephone lines of suspected terrorists are reportedly tapped.
Mobilink has reportedly been giving huge financial assistance to implement the changes. The US is keen to expand the mobile phone intelligence network.
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