In a joint operation, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Gilgit and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Gilgit have launched a crackdown on illegal IMEI tampering and the sale of cloned mobile devices in Hunza.

The targeted raid at Amin Mobile Repair Shops in Aliabad Bazaar resulted in the seizure of laptops and specialized software used for modifying IMEI numbers. Authorities arrested one individual on-site, who was taken into custody by NCCIA Gilgit for further legal proceedings.

The PTA reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on the illegal modification of mobile device identifiers, warning that IMEI tampering and the distribution of cloned phones pose significant threats to national security and public safety. Such activities can facilitate criminal anonymity, cybercrime, financial fraud, abductions, and other serious offenses.

The authority has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to mobile phone cloning or tampering. PTA emphasized that regulatory actions are being intensified and violators will face strict legal consequences.