Lebanon pagers explosion 'highly sophisticated', will go down in history: Expert

Israel has executed a highly sophisticated and unprecedented attack on Hezbollah operatives with the groundbreaking pager explosions in Lebanon, according to explosive and ammunition expert Colonel Devesh Singh (Retd), who provided a detailed analysis of the incident to India Today TV.

Colonel Singh, a seasoned officer who has handled bomb diffusion for the Security Guard (NSG) and played a crucial role in defusing bombs during the Parliament attack, explained that this operation involved the use of modified pagers -- a tactic never seen in modern warfare.

"This is one of the best operations I have ever seen and it will go down in history," Colonel Singh said. He revealed that approximately 5,000 pagers were initially procured, of which 2,800 were modified with sophisticated improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The attack, which took around two to three years of meticulous planning and preparation, saw Israel allegedly infiltrating the supply chain of a Taiwanese company that provided pagers to Hezbollah. The devices were altered to include a microchip and explosives, including PETN and TATP, two of the most dangerous and sensitive explosives known.

As per Colonel Singh’s analysis, the operation demonstrates Israel’s unparalleled expertise in human intelligence (HUMINT). "The fact that Hezbollah had migrated to using pagers to secure their communications was likely a key piece of information seeded by Israel's intelligence network. Their breach into the supply chain shows a level of sophistication far beyond that of typical intelligence agencies," he noted.

The timing of the attack was equally precise. All 2,800 modified pagers were detonated simultaneously between 3:20 pm and 3:45 pm, a period when all targeted Hezbollah operatives were actively using the devices.

The detonation was triggered through a firmware update, a technique that indicates an extraordinary level of technological prowess. "The attackers knew exactly when to strike, ensuring maximum impact," Colonel Singh added.

The explosive expert highlighted that PETN, known for its power and stability, was used in conjunction with TATP, a more volatile and sensitive explosive. "A 20-gram charge of these explosives was sufficient to ensure a lethal impact, and the synchronised blasts across multiple locations showcased Israel's technological and operational superiority," he explained.

Colonel Singh also drew parallels between this incident and the use of mobile devices in past attacks, such as the Parliament bombing. "Pagers, like mobile phones, can be highly vulnerable. This attack is a lesson for all of us. We must be cautious about our reliance on foreign-manufactured devices. Supply chain breaches are real, and this incident serves as a warning," he stated.

The attack’s unique methodology, from supply chain infiltration to synchronised detonations, sets a new standard in covert military operations. "This is not just an attack on Hezbollah; it is a demonstration of Israel's cutting-edge capabilities in modern warfare," said Colonel Singh.

The incident has sent shockwaves through global security agencies, prompting many to reassess their dependence on imported communication devices. The lessons learned from this attack are likely to shape future military and intelligence strategies around the world.