The company can issue phone numbers from 35 countries. When the the numbers are dialed within those countries, there are no toll charges even though the party receiving the call is actually in another country. So in the case of the handlers, if they could call the terrorist using a local Pakistan number and be connected via CallPhonex's network to the terrorist's cell phone. The CallPhonex network can terminate calls with either VoIP, cell or traditional landline phones.

If the handlers were trying to call one of the terrorists on his cell phone, they would dial his Cellphonex-issued number and the Cellphonex network would bridge the call to the terrorist's cell phone number.

If the handlers had VoIP phones or softphones they could place the call from anywhere they could get an Internet connection.

According to a report in the online edition of Hindu Times of India, the account used was opened by someone using the name Kharak Singh, who identified himself as being in India. The Western Union transfer that paid for the service came from Pakistan, the report says, and was placed under the name Mohammed Ashfaq.

According to a report in the New York Times, the gunmen used Indian mobile phones to talk to their controllers, who gave them directions and kept them motivated.