Lebanon pager attack: Search going on to find Malayali

NEW DELHI: International agencies are investigating the role of Malayali Rinson Jose (39) in the recent Pager bomb blasts orchestrated by Israel in Lebanon. Rinson Jose, a native of Ondayangadi in Mananthavady, is a Norwegian citizen. Rinson Jose and his family reside in Oslo, the capital of Norway. However, his whereabouts have been unknown since the bombing series began on the 17th. While some reports suggest that he may have gone into hiding, others claim he is on a business trip to the United States.

Agencies from Norway, Bulgaria, and Hungary are conducting investigations into Rinson Jose's company, Norta Global Limited. There is suspicion about the company's involvement in the pager supply chain. Reports suggest that financial transactions for the pagers were conducted through the company.

Rinson's company
Norta Global Limited, also known as Norta Link, is registered in Bulgaria, with its address listed as a multi-story building in Sofia. However, there are currently no signs of the office at that location. The company's website was taken down on Wednesday. Services offered: Consulting, technical support, recruitment and outsourcing.

Investigations
1. Imported pager parts from Taiwan to Bulgaria.
2. Facilitated the sale of pagers.
3. Conducted transactions worth 16 million Euros (approx. 15 crore rupees).
4. Exported pagers to Hungary.

Israel launches intense airstrikes in Lebanon
BEIRUT: After a series of pager and walkie-talkie explosions, Israel launched intense airstrikes yesterday on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon. Eight people died, and 59 others were injured.

Israel's deadly strike came in response to Hezbollah's barrage of 150 rockets that ravaged the northern Israeli town of Metula, causing widespread destruction. This attack is Israel's most intense retaliation against Hezbollah since the beginning of the Gaza War.

Israeli warplanes struck while Hezbollah's top leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was delivering a televised speech.

Israeli forces destroyed around 1,000 rockets in Dahieh, Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Lebanon, which were positioned to strike Israel. The airstrikes also demolished multiple Hezbollah buildings and an arms depot.

Top leader killed
Israel killed top Hezbollah leader Ibrahim Aqil in an airstrike in Dahieh. Aqil was the mastermind behind the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing that killed 241 US servicemen.