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Concern has arisen for the security forces in India-controlled Jammu and Kashmir over a new type of communication technology. Multiple sources in the Indian security forces have spoken of the recovery, in several recent operations, of ‘LoRa’ technology devices, which allow communication without a SIM card, mobile tower or Wi-Fi, from members of armed groups in the region. A report by Indian media outlet NDTV said the use of this technology outside conventional communication systems is creating a new challenge for security surveillance.
The name ‘LoRa’ comes from ‘long range, low power’. This technology was developed for exchanging data over comparatively long distances using little power. The NDTV report, quoting Indian security officials, said some of the recovered devices can work on encrypted and mesh-based communication systems – that is, one device can relay signals through another, without a direct need for a mobile tower.
Indian authorities have claimed that Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Musa Fauji was killed in a clash with security forces in the Gurwatkalan area of Budgam district in India-controlled Jammu and Kashmir on 29 September. They also spoke of recovering a device marked ‘LoRa Ultra’ from him.
Indian security officials claim that with such devices it is possible to send messages, GPS locations and emergency signals over a distance of about 10 to 15 kilometres in forest areas. According to them, as multiple devices can relay one another’s signals, they can also create a private communication network among themselves.
Earlier, the recovery of several encrypted LoRa devices and SIM-less phones was also reported during the Indian forces’ ‘Operation Mahadev’ in the hilly forest area between Dachigam and Pahalgam. Investigators claim that members of armed groups used these devices to communicate among themselves and with contacts across the border.
The NDTV report further said forensic analysis by India’s National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) suggested that some of the recovered devices were not locally made. Indian security sources claim they were already linked to specific communication systems and encrypted beforehand. However, the report contains no information by which these claims could be independently confirmed.
The report also spoke of technological links to Pakistan and China. Indian security sources allege that the devices were prepared in advance for communication across the border and that there is a possibility of Chinese technology having been used in them. No independent evidence for this claim was given in the report either.
NDTV reported that after the use of the new technology came to light, security forces in the forest areas of south Kashmir are reviewing their surveillance systems. There was also mention of increasing the capability of spectrum scanners and signal jamming devices to detect the radio waves used in LoRa technology.
However, LoRa itself is not a secret or criminal technology. It has legitimate uses all over the world for long-range communication at low power consumption. It is mainly the allegations of misuse of this technology in conflict areas that have become the cause of security concern.
Source: NDTV
