NEW DELHI: A trend of carrying satellite phones at the IGI Airport has been a growing concern for the security agencies.
According to the data provided by the Delhi police from January 2015 to February 15, 2019, the police has recovered 51 satellite phones from the passengers, including those from foreigners.
Sources said that these gadgets pose a threat to national security as the agencies find it hard to intercept the calls of satellite phones, which can be used by the terrorists or enemy country.
The Delhi police data shows that in 2015, only one satellite phone was recovered, one in 2016, 16 in 2017, 28 in 2018 and five in this year (till February 15).
Fifty-four persons have been arrested from January 2015 to February 15, 2019 under Section 6 of Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act.
In 2015, just one person was arrested, one in 2016, 16 in 2017, 30 in 2018 and six in this year (till February 15), stated the Delhi police data.
The police further said that there was no recovery of any satellite phones and no arrest has been made at the IGI airport between the years 1990-2014.
A satellite phone connects to satellites unlike the normal cell phone which is connected to the terrestrial mobile sites. They bypass the local telecom system which means the agencies are unable to track the conversation.
