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Visible trends in terrorism Law & order

The real masterminds of the attacks are operating from neighbouring country, writes Devesh K. Pandey

The fresh round of terror attacks in Assam on Thursday has the Delhi police worried over the security arrangements in the Capital. The deadly explosions have indicated that despite having recently cracked a large network of suspected militants involved in strikes all over the country, including Delhi, the security and intelligence agencies have a much tougher task ahead of them.

The Delhi police and their counterparts in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra had heaved a sigh of relief after the Indian Mujahideen network that had claimed responsibility for almost all the recent terrorist strikes in the country was smashed with the arrest of several suspected militants in various States in September. Although police officers believe that the outfit had been smashed, they suspect that many of its foot-soldiers are still at large and the possibility of them indulging in terror activities in future cannot be ruled out.

“Moreover, the real masterminds who are initiating young men into terrorism and have been providing all kinds of logistical support to them to create disturbance are operating from the neighbouring country. Huge amount of money is being sent to the outfits through the hawala channel to fund their activities. Investigations have revealed the involvement of underworld figures (such as Pakistan-based Amir Raza Khan) in the conspiracy to create disturbance in India,” said a senior police officer.

Not long ago, it was being suspected that terror outfits had started using locally available chemicals for configuring bombs due to non-availability of high-intensity plastic explosives. However, preliminary reports on the Assam explosions have indicated the use of RDX, a military explosive. “It means that they still have access to high-intensity explosives,” said the police officer. He said the most dangerous trend was that of home-grown terrorism that needed to be checked at any cost.

Another visible trend in the recent strikes is that the outfits are trying to carry out more synchronised bombings to achieve their target of causing maximum damage thereby creating terror. Besides, such a daring modus operandi in a way challenges the authority of security and intelligence agencies, causing embarrassment to them and showing the State machinery in poor light.

As regards counter-terror measures, many police officers feel there is a need for a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism of any kind. And to achieve that level of efficiency, the entire State machinery will have to work in a synchronised manner. Delhi being the country’s Capital will always remain the prime target for terror outfits, and so the enforcement agency will have to remain alert round the clock to thwart any such designs.

Apart from the incognito means of mounting surveillance, the police should take basic measures like developing a strong and lively human intelligence network involving people from all walks of life. Although a strenuous exercise, regular surprise checks should be carried out at public places as a means to build up some level of deterrence.

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