On 17 and 18 September 2024 around 32 people were killed when devices such as pagers and other communication devices used by Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah exploded.
Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group pointed at Israel for the explosions, claiming that Israeli authorities had put in explosives into their communication devices like pagers, and walkie-talkies.
Lebanon’s health ministry revealed that at least 450 people had been injured and 20 killed in a second round of blasts that occurred on 18 September. Before this, on 17 September similar pager blasts had gone off in the capital Beirut, and other regions of the country, killing around 12 people and injuring almost 3,000 people.
The devices were said to have been purchased by Hezbollah around five months ago as per reports. Israel was considered to be the main accused behind the attack, even though Israel did not give any official statement about the attacks.
Other parties were also looked into, such as a Taiwan-based firm and a Hungary-based firm accused of manufacturing the pagers. At the same time, another Japanese company was said to be the maker of the walkie-talkies.
Both the Taiwanese and Hungarian firms denied any responsibility while the Japanese company revealed that they had stopped manufacturing that model 10 years ago.
While authorities have been searching for how exactly Israel managed to rig the pagers, in the midst of all this, the name Rinson Jose, an Indian-origin businessman settled in Norway has come up.
Who Is Rinson Jose?
Rinson Jose is a 36-year-old Indian-born entrepreneur who is currently a Norwegian citizen. His name has come up in the investigations around the recent pager explosions in Lebanon.
Jose reportedly comes from the Mananthavady region in Kerala’s Wayanad district where his family still lives. According to his uncle, Thankachan, Rinson, and his twin brother Jinson “studied for priesthood in Bengaluru for a few years,” but soon discontinued their studies and joined a management course in Bengaluru soon after.
Speaking with Manorama Online, Jose’s uncle revealed that Rinson did his graduation from Mary Matha College, Mananthavady.
He and his twin brother Jinson migrated to Norway almost 10 years ago and Rinson naturalised as a Norwegian citizen a few years ago.
What Is His Connection With The Pager Blasts?
Rinson Jose is reported to be the founder of Norta Global Ltd, a Bulgaria-based firm which according to a Reuters report is behind the supply of the explosive pagers to Hezbollah.
According to a Livemint report, “Local media reports indicate that the pagers were sold to Hezbollah through a Sofia-based company known as Norta Global Ltd founded in 2022 by Rinson Jose and declared a revenue of 650,000 euros ($725,000) for consulting activities outside the European Union last year.”
Reports claim that the pagers were created by BAC Consulting, a Hungarian firm, under the trademark of Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo, and then obtained by Norta Global.
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Where Is He Now?
Rinson Jose is seemingly missing now. The Police in Norway released an international search warrant for him concerning the Hezbollah pager blasts.
On 26th September Oslo Police commented, “Yesterday, the Oslo police district received a missing person report in connection with the pager case. A missing persons case has been opened and we have sent out an international warrant for the person.”
According to reports, Reuters reached out to Jose on 18 September for a comment on the pager blasts and the Bulgarian business but he declined. After this, he was unreached despite multiple calls and messages.
Rinson Jose worked in the sales department of DN Media Group, a Norwegian media company. Jose’s employer as per a report by The Guardian claimed that he had gone to Boston for a conference on 17 September and has not been in contact with anyone since then.
Jose’s family, based in Kerala has also told The Indian Express that they have not heard from him for a few days now.
An officer of the state special branch (intelligence wing) also said, “There is no threat to them, but surveillance has been placed around the area since Friday. We have not come across anything suspicious about the family or the man so far. Twin brothers Rinson and Jinson and their sister have been working abroad for the last several years. But no sign of wealth creation is seen around the family back in Kerala. Over the last ten years, the brothers have only bought a small piece of land here,” as per Indian Express.
Jose’s uncle Thankachan speaking with Indian Express said, “Four days ago, he made a usual courtesy call to his father, who is indisposed. There was no mention of any trouble. He normally shares every development with his family. After the news emerged, we tried to contact him, but he has not responded. His brother has not been able to get in touch with him either. We are waiting to hear from him.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Livemint, Hindustan Times, Deccan Herald
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This post is tagged under: Hezbollah, Hezbollah pager blasts, Hezbollah pagers, lebanon, lebanon blasts, lebanon pager blasts, Hezbollah Israel, Hezbollah pager blasts indian origin man, Rinson Jose, Rinson Jose lebanon, Rinson Jose Lebanon pager blasts, Rinson Jose Hezbollah
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