Virtual numbers : New threat for security forces in Kashmir valley

At a time when security forces in the Kashmir valley have had one of the most successful years, the forces have got a new challenge. Virtual numbers are becoming a new threat for the forces in the valley. The terror groups have started using these virtual numbers to communicate and they are difficult to be tracked down by the security forces.

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“Virtual numbers are there, it’s a big challenge world over and we are trying to find a solution to track down this as well. We are working on strategy to counter it. And we are hopeful that we will find a solution soon’’,said Vijay Kumar, IG Kashmir, JK Police. Sources say that in the recent terror attacks in the valley, many such numbers were used by the Militant groups. It was later known to security forces that Virtual numbers were used by the Militants to carry out the plan of these attacks. While speaking to media during the wreath laying ceremony of two CRPF jawans martyred in Pampore area in a terror attack, IG Vijay Kumar said,’’ These CRPF Jawans were on duty when terrorists came from Pampore side and fired on them indiscriminately with an AK 47. Two of the soldiers were martyred and three Injured in the attack. The militants who carried out this attack are from Lashker and one of them is from Pakistan Identified as Saif Ullah. We will soon neutralize them’’.

This technology was used for the first time in 2019 during the Pulwama Attack in which 40 CRPF Soldiers were martyred. Sources say that Indian Intelligence Agency had sought assistance from the US to track down virtual numbers used during the attack. The militant’s infiltrating from across the border are handed over cell phones which work on this technology. The numbers are downloaded from the internet and later all social networking sites are connected to it, so that calls can be made. And the cyber police has also started working on how to break this technology.