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NEW DELHI: Two of the Army's off-air interceptor systems, which can listen in on cellphone conversations, are untraceable, a senior source told TOI, adding a fresh twist to the ongoing Army audit into the devices that were suspected to have been used illegally by a secretive unit under former chief General V K Singh.
"The suspicion is that they may have been destroyed," the source said. It is not clear at what stage the Army's internal investigations is, and if it has put on record and informed the home ministry about the missing interceptors.
It is not known either if the two interceptor units were in the custody of the erstwhile Technical Support Division (TSD), set up by Gen V K Singh after he took over as Army chief in March 2010. However, details about the two missing systems has been conveyed to the Army higher-ups informally, sources said.
A detailed Army audit of electronic warfare systems has been under way for the past several months. Among the key reasons behind the check is the doubt in the security establishment that the TSD may have been illegally listening in on phone conversations of important people in the national capital.
MHA sought information on all 35 interceptors
Ever since the allegations emerged, the home ministry has repeatedly raised questions about the Army possessing equipment capable of intercepting phone conversations. This MHA probe came even as a nationwide audit of off-air interception equipment was on, following allegations of the misuse of the devices by various government and private agencies.
Over the last year, the home ministry has sought details from the Army about the deployment of around 35 off-air interceptors and electronic warfare systems with the capability to listen in on phone conversations. The first set of questions was raised earlier this year when around 20 off-air interceptors were imported through defence public sector unit, Bharat Electronics Limited. Recently, the home ministry is believed to have raised questions about another 15 systems. The alleged misuse of off-air interceptors of the Army came to light several months ago when the activities of the TSD, which was created after Gen V K Singh took over as the Army chief in March 2010, came under the scanner. The TSD was created as part of Military Intelligence but was reporting directly to the Army chief.
In August, three months after General Bikram Singh became the chief, the Army decided to shut down TSD after a thorough review of its activities. An inquiry panel headed by Director General (Infantry) Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia is reviewing the activities of the TSD. It is not clear if the two off-air interceptors that are unaccounted for were in the TSD's custody.
Lt Gen Bhatia's panel is also examining the use of intelligence funds by the TSD. The probe is focusing on whether TSD routed money to an NGO in Kashmir that had moved court against Gen Bikram Singh, accusing him of killing an innocent Kashmiri in 2001. The NGO, which has no other known activities, had moved the J&K High Court a few months ago, raising questions over Gen Singh's appointment as the Army chief.
Two of Army’s off-air cellphone interceptors ‘missing’, govt seeks information - The Times of India on Mobile
"The suspicion is that they may have been destroyed," the source said. It is not clear at what stage the Army's internal investigations is, and if it has put on record and informed the home ministry about the missing interceptors.
It is not known either if the two interceptor units were in the custody of the erstwhile Technical Support Division (TSD), set up by Gen V K Singh after he took over as Army chief in March 2010. However, details about the two missing systems has been conveyed to the Army higher-ups informally, sources said.
A detailed Army audit of electronic warfare systems has been under way for the past several months. Among the key reasons behind the check is the doubt in the security establishment that the TSD may have been illegally listening in on phone conversations of important people in the national capital.
MHA sought information on all 35 interceptors
Ever since the allegations emerged, the home ministry has repeatedly raised questions about the Army possessing equipment capable of intercepting phone conversations. This MHA probe came even as a nationwide audit of off-air interception equipment was on, following allegations of the misuse of the devices by various government and private agencies.
Over the last year, the home ministry has sought details from the Army about the deployment of around 35 off-air interceptors and electronic warfare systems with the capability to listen in on phone conversations. The first set of questions was raised earlier this year when around 20 off-air interceptors were imported through defence public sector unit, Bharat Electronics Limited. Recently, the home ministry is believed to have raised questions about another 15 systems. The alleged misuse of off-air interceptors of the Army came to light several months ago when the activities of the TSD, which was created after Gen V K Singh took over as the Army chief in March 2010, came under the scanner. The TSD was created as part of Military Intelligence but was reporting directly to the Army chief.
In August, three months after General Bikram Singh became the chief, the Army decided to shut down TSD after a thorough review of its activities. An inquiry panel headed by Director General (Infantry) Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia is reviewing the activities of the TSD. It is not clear if the two off-air interceptors that are unaccounted for were in the TSD's custody.
Lt Gen Bhatia's panel is also examining the use of intelligence funds by the TSD. The probe is focusing on whether TSD routed money to an NGO in Kashmir that had moved court against Gen Bikram Singh, accusing him of killing an innocent Kashmiri in 2001. The NGO, which has no other known activities, had moved the J&K High Court a few months ago, raising questions over Gen Singh's appointment as the Army chief.
Two of Army’s off-air cellphone interceptors ‘missing’, govt seeks information - The Times of India on Mobile
