In a significant move, the Indian government has officially banned the use of pagers, declaring them illegal under a new notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The decision comes following growing concerns over the misuse of these outdated communication devices in certain parts of the world, particularly after the recent explosion incidents in Lebanon involving pagers used by Hezbollah members.
Why are Pagers Banned?
Pagers, also known as ‘beepers,’ were once widely used for short message communication before mobile phones became prevalent. Though largely obsolete in most countries, a recent incident in Lebanon exposed how these devices are still being used for low-tech communication to avoid detection by modern tracking technologies.
In the attack, several thousand wireless pagers, ordered by Hezbollah and reportedly rigged with explosives by Israel’s Mossad agency, detonated, resulting in the deaths of nine people and injuring around 3,000. This incident, combined with security concerns about using pagers for illicit or covert communication, has raised alarms globally.
What are Pagers?
Pagers are small, portable devices designed to receive short numeric or alphanumeric messages through radio waves. They were once essential for professionals such as doctors and journalists who needed to be reachable in remote locations. With time, the technology advanced, and newer models were capable of displaying short text messages.
However, by the late 1990s, the introduction of mobile phones with more advanced features made pagers nearly redundant, and their use diminished worldwide. Despite this, groups like Hezbollah were reportedly still using these devices as a secure means of communication, as they could bypass modern digital surveillance systems.
India’s Ban on Pagers
The Indian government’s decision to ban pagers is an attempt to ensure that these devices are not misused for illegal or harmful activities. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs notification, anyone found in possession of pagers or using them will be subject to legal action, as their use is now prohibited under the revised laws. The government’s move aims to strengthen national security by preventing the resurgence of these old devices for covert communication purposes.
Lessons from the Lebanon Incident
In the recent explosion case, it was reported that Hezbollah had imported around 5,000 Taiwan-made pagers. These pagers, rigged with small amounts of explosives, caused the devastating blasts that left many dead and injured. The pagers were allegedly manufactured by a company called BAC, under a license from Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based brand. Gold Apollo, however, has denied involvement, clarifying that they did not manufacture the devices in question.
The Lebanese security sources believe that the explosives were planted by Israel’s Mossad agency, which used these pagers as a tool to carry out a strategic cyberattack on Hezbollah members. This attack has drawn international attention to the potential risks associated with the use of outdated communication devices like pagers.
Future Outlook
As countries work to ensure greater security against technological vulnerabilities, India’s step to ban pagers is seen as a precautionary measure. The government is expected to monitor other forms of communication technologies that may pose similar risks in the future.
The recent notification by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs sends a clear message: outdated technologies, if misused, can have dangerous consequences, and their presence in India will not be tolerated.
With this ban, India joins other nations in eliminating potential security risks posed by obsolete devices, keeping national safety as a priority.
