Taiwan, Bulgaria deny involvement in deadly pager blasts linked to Hezbollah attacks

The mystery surrounding a coordinated attack involving exploding communications devices used by Hezbollah in Lebanon has deepened, as Taiwan and Bulgaria deny any involvement in the supply chain of the devices. The attacks, which occurred earlier this week, resulted in 37 deaths and nearly 3,000 injuries, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

The deadly blasts, which targeted thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah fighters, were likely orchestrated by Israel, according to security sources. Israel has not officially commented on the explosions. But the attacks have raised questions about how and where the devices were weaponized and distributed, with investigations now spanning multiple countries, including Taiwan, Bulgaria, Norway and Hungary.

Taiwanese authorities quickly distanced themselves from any potential links to the explosive devices. Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese communications equipment manufacturer, said it did not manufacture the pagers used in the attack. The company also said Hungarian firm BAC Consulting had been authorized to use its brand to sell products in some regions. Taiwan’s economics minister, Kuo Jyh-huei, emphasized: “The components, mainly low-end integrated circuits (ICs) and batteries, were not made in Taiwan,” adding that the case was being investigated by judicial authorities.

In Bulgaria, local media initially reported involvement of Sofia-based Norta Global Ltd. in selling pagers to Hezbollah. However, Bulgaria’s state security agency, DANS, dismissed these claims, stating that none of the pagers used in the attack were imported, exported or manufactured in Bulgaria. The agency also confirmed that neither Norta nor its Norwegian owner traded such devices in Bulgarian jurisdiction.

The involvement of Norta Global, an innovative consulting and technology services firm, has come under increased scrutiny. Its founder, Rinson Jose, an Indian-born businessman based in Oslo, reportedly disappeared after the attacks. According to Daily mailJose disappeared after “inadvertently” taking part in the plot, although the nature of his involvement remains unclear. Neighbours in Oslo reported that Jose’s residence appeared deserted and that his colleagues at Norwegian media conglomerate NHST had been unable to contact him since Tuesday, the day the pagers exploded.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the devices’ origins has turned to Taiwan. Prosecutors in Taipei have questioned Gold Apollo founder Hsu Ching-kuang, as well as Teresa Wu, an employee involved in the BAC Consulting deal. Wu, who was seen representing Gold Apollo at a trade show, declined to speak to reporters after the questioning. The Shilin District Prosecutor’s Office is continuing to investigate whether Taiwanese companies were involved.

The detonations that rocked Lebanon earlier this week targeted Hezbollah fighters in what Lebanese sources described as a highly sophisticated attack. PETN, a powerful explosive compound, was reportedly integrated into the batteries of communications devices, making them virtually undetectable. The explosions further destabilized an already tense region, overwhelming hospitals and leaving Lebanese citizens afraid to use electronic devices.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has vowed to retaliate for the attacks. In a televised speech Thursday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah called the explosions a “declaration of war” and promised that Israel would face consequences. While Nasrallah did not specify the timing or nature of Hezbollah’s retaliation, he stressed that the group would continue its actions in solidarity with Palestinians attacked in Gaza.

The attacks further escalated the long-running conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which had been escalating since hostilities resumed last October. Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon intensified in the days following the pager detonations, with the Israeli military saying it hit more than 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers and other infrastructure.

International calls for de-escalation have grown, with the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) urging both sides to pull back from the brink of full-scale war. “We are concerned about the heightened escalation on the Blue Line and call on all actors to de-escalate immediately,” UNIFIL spokeswoman Andrea Tenenti said.

Despite these calls, the region remains on edge. Both Hezbollah and Israel have shown no signs of relenting, and the risk of a wider regional conflict looms large. The UN Security Council is due to meet to discuss the situation, as investigations into the origins of the explosive devices continue in Taiwan, Bulgaria and elsewhere.