Chhota Rajan episode points to need for upgrading intelligence gathering techniques

Chhota Rajan episode points to need for upgrading intelligence gathering techniques
KOTA NEELIMA

NEW DELHI, NOV 21: Soon after the Chhota Rajan episode in Thailand, wherein the tip-off came through a satellite phone, a Central Reserve Police Force Centre near Shankar Road in New Delhi has been added to the list of listening posts monitoring incoming and outgoing calls from satellite phones.

Described in intelligence parlance as ``filtering centres'', these posts will soon be set up at various other places in Delhi to curb the misuse of satellite phones.

The augmentation of technology will be in addition to several sensitive New Delhi areas being covered by a network of magnetic fields called ``cups and carpets'', also used for monitoring calls on mobile phones.

These ``domes'' -- or cups -- are the magnetic fields created over a certain area so as not to let any information be transmitted out, mainly through mobile phones. The carpet covers New Delhi areas within which any conversation on mobile phones can be traced. The cup of magnetic field over a certain area prevents incoming and outgoing mobile calls, leading to what is known as ``jamming'' of the calls.

This system prevents the remote triggering of any explosive device, can screen sensitive conversation and also get leads for major breakthroughs of national and international importance. Incidentally, when put to use, these jammers also affect mobile phones and FM radio transmissions.

Places where there are little chances of mobile phones getting jammed are the residences of Prime Minister Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, besides all Armed Forces installations, police and intelligence offices. This also includes any VIP movement where, according to the SPG protection grade of the person, the protective magnetic field is set.

The jammers work on a frequency of upto 25,000 hz and ultra high frequency. They also work on the infra-red frequency but not with the same efficiency. Also, they function not just from fixed stations but also from mobile stations like on motorcades -- usually housed in one of the vehicles in the group.

Presently, the equipment for jamming and screening mobile conversations is German. While they have been trusted for a long time now, work is on to get Israeli equipment. ``This is because German machines do not have the battery life necessary for long surveillance. This affects the range of the jammers, which is the most crucial part of the exercise,'' a senior source from one intelligence agency said.

There are about 100 installations of private mobile companies which receive and send messages for all the mobile phones working in Delhi. According to a leading mobile company, they are not permitted to set up ``cell sites'' at these sensitive areas as they disrupt transmission of calls on mobile phones.

Mobile phones also head the list of security hazard for intelligence agencies in charge of protection of VIPs. ``In case of a Z-plus security person travelling in a sensitive area which has not been checked for safety, all waves coming in can be frozen within a periphery of 100 meters to one km, the source said, adding that this holds good for jamming mobile conversations too. ``Not only can the immediate movements of VIPs be transmitted through mobiles, but an explosive attached to a mobile phone can be activated by just calling up on the instrument at the right time. So it does become necessary to prevent all incoming and outgoing conversations,'' the source explained.