Norway’s security police (PST) have launched a preliminary investigation following reports that a Norwegian-owned firm may be connected to the sale of pagers to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which detonated last week, according to a police attorney speaking to Reuters.

During a two-day span last week, numerous pagers and walkie-talkies utilized by Hezbollah members exploded in Lebanon, resulting in at least 39 fatalities and thousands of injuries. The attacks are widely attributed to Israel, which has not confirmed or denied its involvement.

The specifics regarding how and when the pagers were modified for remote detonation remain unclear. Authorities in Taiwan, Hungary, and Bulgaria are also probing potential links within the supply chain.

“PST has commenced a preliminary investigation to assess whether there are grounds for initiating a full investigation based on media allegations that a Norwegian-owned company might have played a role in supplying pagers to Hezbollah,” stated PST lawyer Haris Hrenovica in a text message to Reuters.

Earlier, he informed the Norwegian news agency NTB that the police currently have no specific suspicions. Bulgarian officials announced last week that they are investigating the Sofia-based company Norta Global Ltd, following a Hungarian media report suggesting its involvement in the pager sales.

Founded in 2022 by Norwegian citizen Rinson Jose, 39, Norta Global Ltd’s incorporation documents indicate he signed the company’s articles of association at the Bulgarian consulate in Oslo, as per records reviewed by Reuters.

Jose did not provide any comments regarding the pagers when contacted by phone last Wednesday and ended the call when questioned about the Bulgarian business. He has not responded to multiple calls and text messages.

When Reuters attempted to reach him on Tuesday of this week, the call went to voicemail.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Jose has been with DN Media Group since February 2020, where he is listed as a member of the sales department. DN Media Group stated that he left for a conference in Boston on September 17.

His last communication with colleagues via email occurred on September 18, as reported by Norwegian media. His employer informed Reuters that they have been unable to contact him since that date.

Additionally, Reuters has found no evidence connecting Norta Global to DN Media Group.