Red Fort Blast: Terrorists Used 'Ghost' SIMs, DoT Mandates Active SIM for Apps

• Red Fort blast probe reveals 'white-collar' terror module used 'ghost' SIM cards and encrypted apps to coordinate with Pakistani handlers.
• Accused doctors like Muzammil Ganaie and Adeel Rather employed a 'dual-phone' protocol, using one 'clean' phone and one 'terror phone' with SIMs obtained via misused Aadhaar details.
• DoT issued a directive mandating app-based communication services (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal) be linked to an active physical SIM card.
• The move aims to plug security gaps exploited by terror networks, who used apps without physical SIMs to direct IED assembly and plot attacks.
• Investigation began with JeM posters in Srinagar, leading to arrests at Al Falah University and seizure of explosives.

Why It Matters: Red Fort blast probe uncovers 'ghost' SIM terror network, prompting DoT to mandate active SIMs for messaging apps.