Signals of Pak mobile firms spilling into India territory: DoT

The government today said signals of Pakistan mobile companies were penetrating into Indian territory and the issue may be raised with the neighbouring country soon.

The government on Thursday said signals of Pakistan mobile companies were penetrating into Indian territory and the issue may be raised with the neighbouring country soon.

HT Image

"Department of Telecom (DoT) is aware that some spillage of signal across the border has been detected," Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Telecom and IT said in a written reply.

Replying to a query that whether various intelligence agencies have warned of the long term security implications of installation of mobile towers along the Indo-Pak border by Pakistan telecom companies, he said the matter has been taken up with Ministry of External Affairs for arranging a bilateral meeting with Pakistan authorities on the issue of cross border radio interference.

Last week the issue was also raised in Lok Sabha when a member had said that Pakistan was undertaking a "technological invasion" of India by installing mobile towers near the border and the matter should be taken "boldly" with Islamabad.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had said the signals of the Pakistani mobile companies were penetrating 30 kilometres deep inside the Indian territory, which has "serious security implications".

Similar towers were also being set up on the Indo-Bangla border and the signals "are being used by smugglers to carry out their activities."

The intentions were "mysterious" and India, which was a global power in IT, was not able to stop these signals, he said.

Terming it as a "technological invasion" which impacts India's sovereignty, he said, "India should take up this issue with Pakistan, not meekly but boldly."