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Norwegian-Indian man linked to exploding pagers missing; international search issued

The man is linked to the sale of pagers to Hezbollah, which exploded last week in Lebanon, killing 39 people and injuring thousands.

Jose was the co-founder of the Bulgarian company Norta Global Ltd, which was part of the pager supply chain. (Reuters photo/ Representational)

Norwegian police have issued an international search request for Rinson Jose, a 39-year-old Norwegian-Indian businessman, after he went missing during a work trip to the US last week. Jose is linked to the sale of pagers to Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, which exploded last week in Lebanon, killing 39 people and injuring thousands.

Jose, co-founder of the Bulgarian company Norta Global Ltd, which was part of the pager supply chain, was last contacted on September 18. He had left for a work conference in Boston on September 17, but his Norwegian employer, DN Media Group, has been unable to reach him since.

On September 25, the Oslo police district opened a missing person’s case and issued an international search request for Jose. Norwegian criminal police, Kripos, confirmed that the request was sent globally.

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A Kripos spokesperson explained that such situations typically involve issuing a global alert, known as a “yellow notice,” and working directly with foreign authorities when necessary. Interpol is yet to comment on the case.

Also Read: | Lebanon attacks: Why do people still use pagers?

Bulgarian authorities investigated Jose’s company and found no evidence that the pagers were manufactured or exported from Bulgaria. Norway’s security police (PST) have also opened an inquiry into a Norwegian-owned company potentially linked to the sale.

The explosions occurred in Lebanon last week when thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies, believed to be used by Hezbollah operatives, detonated. The blasts resulted in 39 deaths and thousands of injuries. Many believe that Israel was behind the attack, though the country has not confirmed or denied its involvement.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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