Chinese 'ultra set' telecom gear devices used by Pakistan's army seized from terrorists in J&K

NEW DELHI: Encounters with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir led to the seizure of highly encrypted Chinese telecom equipment, known as 'Ultra Set,' which were used by terror groups, officials said. This sophisticated gear, initially meant for the Pakistan army, has found its way into the hands of terrorists, raising serious concerns over undetected infiltrations from across the Line of Control (LoC). Authorities believe these terrorists might be residing in the outskirts of cities and villages in the region.

The 'Ultra Set' devices, found during a gunfight in the Sindarah top area of Surankote in Poonch district and in Sopore's Check Mohalla Nowpora in Baramulla district, were seized after confrontations last year and earlier this year. Four foreign terrorists were killed in Surankote, while two were eliminated in Sopore. These specialized handsets, customized by Chinese companies for the Pakistan army, combine cell-phone capabilities with unique radio equipment that bypasses traditional mobile technologies like GSM or CDMA.

Officials indicated that the 'Ultra Set' devices operate on radio waves for message transmission and reception, each linked to a control station across the border. The messages are compressed and transmitted via Chinese satellites to a master server in Pakistan. The discovery of such advanced communication tools has heightened fears of state-sponsored support for terrorism.

“This is yet another help being extended by China to its key ally Pakistan,” officials said, noting that China has been actively enhancing Pakistan's defense capabilities along the LoC. This support includes the construction of steelhead bunkers, the provision of unmanned aerial vehicles, and the installation of encrypted communication towers, alongside laying underground fiber cables.

Additionally, Chinese radar systems, such as those of the "JY" and "HGR" series, have been deployed to improve target detection along the LoC. Advanced weaponry like the SH-15 truck-mounted howitzer has also been observed in the region. These developments are seen as part of China’s strategic interests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), particularly in connection with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

While there has been no direct sighting of senior People's Liberation Army (PLA) officials at forward posts, intercepted communications suggest that Chinese troops and engineers have been involved in infrastructure development in PoK. This includes the construction of underground bunkers and tunnels in the Leepa Valley, supporting a direct route between Gwadar Port in Pakistan and China's Xinjiang province through the Karakoram Highway.

(With agency inputs)

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