‘Desi’ power banks trigger IED scare at airports, govt takes note
After more than twodozen security scares at airports across the country, the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) has asked state governments to issue an advisory against carrying locally produced power banks while travelling by air. According to the ministry, situations causing alarm have been reported from various airports across the country during the screening of such devices. The scanned image of power banks is very similar to that of an improvised explosive device (IED).
The ministry has observed that such power banks use putty, a clay-like substance, to give more weight to the device.And even though the clay-like substance is not classified as an explosive, authorities believe it can be used by “anti-national elements”.The ministry has asked state police forces to take action against manufacturers, while ordering states and Union territories to issue public advisories that create awareness about the usage of modified devices.
The ministry of civil aviation, railway board, bureau of civil aviation, central industrial security force and the commissioner of Delhi police have also been informed about the situation.
A power bank is a battery device that can be electrically recharged.It serves as a portable charger for electronic devices like mobile phones, tablets, laptops. In India, a “desi” solution seems to have drawn the MHA’s attention.
According to the ministry, on 28 occasions the modified power banks gave a scanning image of an IED when put through the scanners at the airports. As a result, red flag was raised and the passengers owning the device had to be held back for questioning.
Out of the 28 instances, seven were found to be genuine, while the rest were disposed of and passengers allowed to go without any case getting registered. This, however, might change soon.
“These modified power banks are locally made with normal battery, a circuit and a putty to fill the cavity and to make it heavy. During screening, the scanned image looks liked an IED and the electronic circuit creates more panic,“reads an MHA direction.
The MHA further said, “Although the clay-like substance inside the power bank is not an explosive, there are possibilities that anti-national elements/terrorists can use it to further their malafide intentions at airports”.
A senior government official told HT that the substance can be used to conceal small- to medium-sized weapons.
Ankush Johar, director, Infosec Ventures, a private company specialising in telecom and cyber security, attributed the usage of locally made power banks to their low cost.
“The power banks are essentially made of two components - plastic casing and batteries, both of which are imported and assembled here in India by local manufacturers who brand them as their own. The cost of such power banks can be anywhere between ₹450 and ₹550,” Johar said.
“In the national capital, such power banks are readily available in all electronic markets. Wholesalers purchase the casings and batteries which originate from China. The same are then assembled and sold to small shop owners under brand names like Cobra or Power. Interestingly, such devices are also available for sale on e-commerce websites,” added Johar.
NEW DELHI: