The Jaisalmer district administration in Rajasthan has enforced a ban on the use and possession of Pakistani SIM cards in border regions due to significant national security worries. District Collector Anupama Jorwal invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, corresponding to the former Section 144 of the CrPC, to issue the order. The prohibition includes any communication through Pakistani SIM cards within Jaisalmer’s border areas, with strict legal consequences for violations.
Authorities emphasized the need for heightened caution in Jaisalmer, a border area, due to the potential security risks involved. The ban aims to prevent cross-border communication facilitated by Pakistani mobile tower signals extending several kilometers into Indian territory. Intelligence agencies have raised concerns about the misuse of such connectivity for espionage or anti-national activities.
Concerns have been raised about the strong signal coverage from Pakistani mobile towers near the India-Pakistan border, allowing communication using Pakistani SIM cards in certain areas of Jaisalmer district. This vulnerability poses a serious security threat, prompting the administration to take preventive measures. Similar restrictions have been imposed previously to address border security concerns and prevent the transmission of sensitive information through foreign networks.
The administration’s decision underscores the gravity of the situation as a potential threat to national security, leading to increased surveillance in Rajasthan’s sensitive border district. Continuous monitoring of communication networks and movement patterns is being conducted to safeguard national interests.
