Govt to equip NSI with mobile tracking system

The government will equip the National Security Intelligence (NSI) with a digital tracking system to build up its capacity in tackling criminal activities conducted through mobile phones and internet.

To this end, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved a Tk-38.5 crore project to buy necessary equipment, including mobile phone and wi-fi network interceptors. The devices will be bought under the direct procurement method.

According to finance ministry documents, criminals are increasingly using mobile phones and internet in carrying out various terror and criminal activities, including extortion, defrauding and militancy.

The sophisticated equipment (interceptors) will help the intelligence agency trace such criminals quickly. They can be tracked down through monitoring their mobile phones and internet activities, read the document.

The agencies are being equipped with sophisticated technologies to fight crimes, especially the increasing militant activities by using various digital platforms.

The police's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, Rapid Action Battalion and an intelligence agency have some technical equipment. Plans have been drawn up to buy more sophisticated devices to monitor and track down suspected criminals and militants, said home ministry sources.