20 September 2024 | 12:24

Kazakh expert analyzes gadget explosions: Should citizens be concerned?

Video frames

Tengrinews.kz - A Kazakh military expert has discussed the recent pager explosions in Lebanon, outlining how the attacks could have been orchestrated and whether Kazakhstanis should be concerned about the safety of their devices.

Tengrinews.kz - A Kazakh military expert has discussed the recent pager explosions in Lebanon, outlining how the attacks could have been orchestrated and whether Kazakhstanis should be concerned about the safety of their devices.

Retired Colonel Nurbolat Mutiev recalled a scene from a 2000s series where a pager is used to detonate explosives.

"In similar cases, explosives are often embedded in mobile phones, detonating upon receiving a call. Here, the signal likely triggered the pagers. I suspect explosives were planted in the Lebanese pagers beforehand," he said.

Mutiev noted that the pagers involved were produced by the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, which denied any involvement, claiming the products were manufactured in Hungary.

"It’s likely the explosives were placed where the battery is located. Reducing the battery size would allow for more room for explosives, leading to quicker drainage - something users might notice. Such an operation requires the manufacturer to have control over the production process," he explained.

The expert mentioned that similar tactics were used by Israeli intelligence in the past, such as during the 2004 attacks on mobile phones owned by Hamas members. He believes that the recent attacks show careful planning over many years.

Despite these events, Mutiev reassured that ordinary people using communication devices should not fear for their safety.

"Modern smartphones are sealed by manufacturers, making it difficult to plant explosives unless done at the factory level," he stated.

Mutiev emphasized that Lebanon's situation should encourage stricter controls on communication equipment supplies in defense. He added that while pagers are not used in Kazakhstan's military, the army previously purchased foreign radios, suggesting a shift toward domestic production for better oversight.

As for security measures at airports and train stations, he believes there won't be significant changes.

"Effective detection of small amounts of explosives is challenging, and the most reliable method would be trained dogs that can sniff out explosives in devices," he concluded.

Recent cyberattack in Lebanon that led to mass pager explosions, injuring nearly three thousand people, reportedly as part of an Israeli operation against Hezbollah, involving explosives hidden in imported Taiwanese pagers.

Israel Lebanon Kazakhstan attack explosion

Вопрос от редакции

Что вы об этом думаете?