How militants in Pakistan used mobile game PUBG to plan attack on police station with a bomb made of power bank – Times of India

In a disturbing development, militants in Swat, Pakistan, reportedly employed tactics inspired by the popular video game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) to carry out an attack on a local police station. According to a report in news agency ANI, the militants utilised PUBG‘s in-game chat rooms to communicate and coordinate their activities, making it difficult for authorities to track their movements.This use of technology allowed them to evade electronic surveillance and plan their attack with relative ease.
On August 28, the Banr police station in Swat came under attack, resulting in the death of one police officer and injuries to two others. Following the incident, a thorough investigation was launched by district police.

Militants used IED made of power bank

Initial analysis of CCTV footage led investigators to believe that a hand grenade was used in the attack. However, further investigation revealed that the militants had instead employed an improvised explosive device (IED) constructed from a power bank.
Dr Zahidullah, the district police officer of Swat, disclosed that the militants had used PUBG as a tool for training and motivation. The game’s chat rooms provided a secure platform for communication, enabling them to maintain contact with their group members and families in Afghanistan.
Through investigation, authorities identified one suspect and subsequently apprehended several others with connections to a local militant group led by Murad alias Rehmatullah, affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Used PUBG chatrooms to communicate

The arrested suspects revealed that they used PUBG chat rooms to communicate with their group members and families in Afghanistan. To avoid detection, they frequently changed their mobile phones and SIM cards.
Dr Zahidullah noted that the families of the arrested militants, who had fled to Afghanistan during Operation Rah-i-Rast in 2009, remain involved in militant activities. Approximately 2,000 families of militants from Swat are believed to be residing in Afghanistan.