Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) announced it has successfully intercepted a large shipment of explosive-laden pager devices that was en route from Istanbul to Beirut. The seizure has raised alarm bells over an alleged international plot involving sophisticated electronic explosives.

According to Turkish authorities, the shipment arrived from Hong Kong on September 16, 2024, disguised as “food mixers.” It was scheduled to be airfreighted to Lebanon on September 27 via Turkish Airlines. Upon inspection, security forces discovered 1,300 pager devices and 710 chargers – all embedded with remote detonation capabilities triggered by encrypted signals or radio waves.

Security analysts noted the devices matched those used in the deadly attacks in Lebanon and Syria in September 2024, which killed over 40 people and injured more than 3,500, many of them civilians and Hezbollah affiliates. Turkish officials suspect the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad may be linked to the operation.

In response, Turkey has announced a sweeping review of its communications device regulations and revealed plans to establish an independent national cybersecurity agency.