India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has begun reverifying 680,000 suspicious mobile connections as part of its broader national security strategy. The initiative extends India’s growing focus on digital identity verification, which includes the electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) system and mandatory Aadhaar authentication for various government services.
The verification process operates through multiple coordinated systems, including the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), which connects approved security and law enforcement agencies with designated data providers to enable real-time intelligence sharing. The verification campaign follows recent challenges in India’s telecom sector, including the widespread network disruptions that highlighted the critical nature of mobile infrastructure security.
In conjunction with the mobile verification effort, the MHA’s Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Cell manages policy matters related to terrorist financing and counterfeit currency. The FICN Coordination Centre (FCORD) facilitates intelligence sharing between security agencies to combat fake currency circulation.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) operates a specialized Terror Funding and Fake Currency (TFFC) Cell that conducts targeted investigations into terror funding and counterfeit currency cases. The work builds upon an existing Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bangladesh aimed at preventing fake currency smuggling.
The mobile connection reverification program leverages enhanced intelligence sharing infrastructure, including the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) at the central level and State Multi Agency Centre (SMAC) at the state level. These centers enable round-the-clock information exchange between security forces, district police, and intelligence agencies. The system supports India’s recent implementation of stricter identity verification requirements across various sectors, scheduled for 2025.
The security framework has already proven effective in addressing Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), with increased security force presence and improved operational strategies leading to more successful security operations and increased neutralization of extremist elements.
The mobile verification program operates alongside efforts to strengthen State Intelligence Bureaus (SIBs) in LWE-affected states, contributing to a comprehensive approach to national security enhancement. The initiative is part of broader efforts to prevent SIM card fraud, similar to those implemented in Kashmir’s enhanced telecom security measures.
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