Security agencies are on alert as terror groups are going back to traditional communication modes, sources have said. Security agencies have been alerted about clandestine communication trends rising among terrorist outfits in Jammu & Kashmir.
Increasing pressures of electronic surveillance by security agencies on suspicious e-mails, messages and end-to-end encryption, even through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), has worried terror outfits.
Terror outfits have started resorting to old communication methods like dead drops and live drops and other traditional clandestine communication mechanisms, sources in the security establishments said.
DEAD DROP AND LIVE DROP
A dead drop or dead letter box is a method used to pass information using a secret location. By avoiding direct meetings, individuals can maintain security. This method stands in contrast to live drops, because two persons meet to exchange items or information.
These methods are considered safe and out of the control of security agencies, heavily relying on electronic surveillance.
Such clandestine communication systems were used in the 90s in the Valley by militant outfits Harkat-ul-Ansar, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba and other splinter groups.
The threat of sleeper cells has been imminent, and such communication systems are suitable for them.Government sources said that the system of electronic communication is real-time, but with new technology developing, there are apparent detection threats.