In this design, a leaf may be taken from the counter-terror mechanism in J&K. The process of erecting a fence along the Bangladesh border should be hastened and the concept of ‘one border one force’ for effective border management implemented, whereby the BSF and Assam Rifles are given charge of specific state sectors in the North-East.
If the sea-borne assault on Mumbai was novel and unexpected, already there are inputs of terrorists trying to use the aerial route in the next attack.
The concept of the SOG and STF in J&K could be introduced in the coastal belts of the country where in the Coastal Police should incorporate local residents and fishermen into a dedicated task force for effective surveillance and information on suspected activities and movement of terrorists, smugglers and the likes. It will also facilitate employment generation, and an incentive to the jobless youth to provide information and check illegal activities.
It needs to be underscored that it was largely due to the efforts of the SOG in J&K which comprised former militants that ‘actionable’ human intelligence on top terrorist leaders could be gathered. This can only happen when the local population has faith and trust in the police and are prepared to share information with them, hence the SOG model (by recruiting locals) can cement police-public relations. The inhabitants of isolated islands in Lakshadweep and Andamans could be incorporated in special units for enhancing the intelligence and security mechanisms in these vulnerable zones. Illegal immigration by Bangladeshi labourers in Andaman Islands needs to be checked.
Also, there is an urgent need to de-criminalize policing in the country and go after organized mafia, drug and gun runners, etc with a vigorous zeal as often it is these criminals who provide local support and logistics to foreign terrorists, who would otherwise find it difficult to strike in another country.
The beat policing system should be strengthened and the beat constables given the wherewithal to personally know each and every inhabitant of his beat and fix accountability.
Police personnel in all districts of the country should be sent to nearby Army units for short duration training capsules so that they can effectively deal with urban terrorism.
Lastly, VDCs need to be empowered and cash grants and rewards should be instituted for information on criminals, terrorists, seizure of weapons, etc.
The armed forces should be kept in the loop, if not at the helm of all counter-terror planning, intelligence sharing, and pro-active counter terrorism strategy.
The New Terror
After finding it diffcult to strike in J&K, the Pakistani mentors in frustration have increased strikes in the rest of the country, taking advantage of the weak defence mechanism along the coastal areas and land borders with Nepal and Bangladesh. Some have even come via the ‘peace bus’ from Lahore and the Samjhauta express on valid documents and passports.
In fact, in discarding the traditional methods of infiltration through the LoC, militants are now being sent via a long route to Jammu and Kashmir by first entering India by sea from the Gujarat and Maharashtra coasts, or by land from Nepal and Bangladesh after completing their training in PoK. Weapons and ammunition are made available once they reach their respective bases in Kashmir. Weapons are also being manufactured on a small scale with one such facility being discovered in the Sopore belt of North Kashmir. Also, the recent discovery of Lashkar cadres from Kerala fighting in J&K points to a new trend in expansion of the recruitment base of Pakistan based terror outfits.
These developments and the attack on Mumbai are testimony to the sinister designs of these terror organisations, i.e. to strike in mainland India to de-stabilize our economic growth and create a sense of helplessness and fear among the populace, and question the ability of the government in protecting them.
One needs to be more vigilant and better prepared in the coming days and years as the enemies of the nation will continue to resort to new methods and modes to target India and attempt to regain lost ground in Kashmir.
If the sea-borne assault on Mumbai was novel and unexpected, already there are inputs of terrorists trying to use the aerial route in the next attack.
Intelligence agencies have known for a while that Pakistan Army and Navy have been providing marine training to select groups of terrorists in Mangla Dam and Karachi Port with durations ranging from six to eighteen months. It involves underwater operations, use of high speed boats, demolition of vital assets such as merchant and naval vessels and off-shore nuclear and oil installations.
Similarly, latest reports pertaining to training of women couriers and suicide bombers, parachute and snow-warfare training to select LeT terrorists in Kalighati and Kel in PoK can only be ignored at India’s peril.
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