A man from Wayanad, Kerala, has found himself at the center of an international investigation linking him to the recent explosions in Lebanon that claimed the lives of Hezbollah fighters and civilians. Rinson Jose, 37, who migrated to Norway years ago and now holds Norwegian citizenship, is allegedly the owner of Norta Global Ltd., a company registered in Sofia, Bulgaria. International security agencies are now probing the company's possible involvement in supplying hundreds of pagers used in a series of attacks, sparking a global investigation.
The explosions, which rocked Hezbollah-controlled regions in Lebanon, resulted in 12 fatalities, including innocent civilians. The pagers, seemingly ordinary communication devices, were reportedly used to trigger the explosions, leaving investigators scrambling to uncover the supply chain. Lebanese authorities, together with international intelligence agencies, are piecing together a broader network of individuals and companies possibly linked to this coordinated attack.
Rinson, a former clerical aspirant from the small town of Ondayangadi in the Mananthavady region of Wayanad, has reportedly not been reachable for several days. His family, deeply shocked by the news, denies any involvement in terrorist activities and believes that Rinson may have been unknowingly dragged into a dangerous situation. His uncle, Thankachan, mentioned that Rinson last contacted his family just three days before the news broke. "It's unimaginable," Thankachan said. "We fear he might have been deceived by someone."
According to sources, Rinson moved abroad with his twin brother years ago in search of a better life. While his brother now resides in the UK, Rinson eventually settled in Norway, where he lives with his wife. His sister is a nurse in Ireland, making his family widely spread across Europe. The company in question, Norta Global Ltd., was reportedly founded in April 2022, and Rinson is listed as its sole owner. The company, though Bulgarian-registered, is now under scrutiny for its alleged role in the Lebanon blasts.
Bulgarian state security agency DANS has confirmed that they are working in collaboration with the interior ministry to investigate the company’s role in the sale of the pagers that were ultimately used in the attacks. The situation is further complicated by international ties, with Norway and Bulgaria both involved in the wider probe. Authorities are trying to establish how a company owned by a former Indian national with no known extremist affiliations could be linked to such a devastating act of terrorism.
Meanwhile, back in Kerala, central intelligence agencies and the Kerala Police special branch are conducting their own inquiries, gathering details from Rinson’s hometown and ensuring the safety of his family amid growing concern. Wayanad district police chief Taposh Basumathary confirmed that a routine background check had been carried out and additional patrols have been ordered near the family home.
Rinson’s parents, Moothedath Jose and Gracy, both tailors by profession, remain bewildered by the unfolding events. The family, according to local sources, had no prior indication of Rinson’s alleged involvement in any illegal activities. His last visit to India was in November 2023, and he returned to Norway in January 2024.
As the investigation continues to unfold, questions linger about how much Rinson knew about the operations of his company and its involvement in the sale of the pagers. His disappearance has raised further alarms, and authorities are now working across multiple borders to determine his whereabouts and role, if any, in the attacks.
The case has thrust the quiet Wayanad district into the global spotlight, with local authorities doing their best to manage the situation while the international probe deepens. As new information surfaces, the question remains—was Rinson an unwitting participant, or is there more to this story than meets the eye?
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