Lebanon walkie-talkie blasts mark new era of technological warfare: Expert

Defence Expert Colonel Ajay Raina (Retd) has shed light on the technological sophistication behind the recent walkie-talkie blasts in Lebanon, which killed at least 20 people and injured nearly 450 on Tuesday. While speaking to India Today TV, Colonel Raina said that the attacks, orchestrated using advanced explosives and radio wave technology, signify a troubling new frontier in modern warfare.

The explosive and ammunition expert also revealed that the explosive used in the attacks was PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate), a highly potent substance known for its destructive capabilities.

What makes these blasts particularly concerning is the method of detonation — via radio waves. According to Col. Raina, this remote activation highlights the level of expertise involved, with Hezbollah operatives exploiting compromised supply chains to gain access to the devices.

"The use of PETN and radio wave-triggered explosions reflects a meticulous and intelligent operation," Col. Raina said.

The expert also emphasized the psychological impact of these attacks, particularly on Hezbollah, stating that the blasts have left the organization in a state of uncertainty and fear.

“Hezbollah operatives are now on high alert, unsure of when or where the next attack might occur," he pointed out. He further speculated that Hezbollah might consider retaliating against Israel, and Israel would likely have a counter-strategy ready. “Both sides are on edge, and any retaliation could escalate tensions further,” Col. Raina said.

Furthermore, he emphasised that this type of attack not only signals a new technological era in warfare but also raises concerns about similar tactics being applied to other devices and everyday appliances.

"This technology could be adapted to other devices and appliances, potentially causing widespread harm. The walkie-talkie blasts resulted in significant casualties and that the attacks happened prematurely, possibly due to a leak of information," Col Raina said.

According to the Army veteran, the original timeline for the attack was speculated to be around October 7, coinciding with the anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel last year.

The operation was believed to have been planned for around October 7, aligning with the anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel last year. The expert suggested that the deviation from the original timeline could indicate vulnerabilities within Hezbollah’s network.

In his analysis, Col. Raina warned of the far-reaching implications of these events, especially for countries like India. "As India pushes toward full indigenisation of its defence systems, ensuring the security of technology and supply chains is of paramount importance," he said.

"The security of devices and data is the new battleground of modern warfare," Col. Raina asserted, urging both military and civilian sectors to remain vigilant.

The highly sophisticated wakie-talkie attack comes a day after a suspected Israeli attack targeting pagers used by terror group Hezbollah for communication between its members in Lenabon.

US officials have reportedly indicated that Israel carried out the attack, with the primary objective of disrupting Hezbollah's communication network and its command and control systems in Lebanon.

In response to Israel's ability to easily detect and target mobile phones, Hezbollah has significantly reduced their use among its forces. Instead, the group has increasingly turned to pagers as the preferred method of communication.