The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Strategic intelligence missing’ Law & order

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 29, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

‘Strategic intelligence missing’ Law & order

The unprecedented terror attacks in Mumbai by highly motivated militants armed with sophisticated assault rifles and grenades have sent shock waves across the Capital, leaving the Delhi Police officers wondering if the existing infrastructure is good enough to tackle such audacious acts of terrorism. The attacks have also necessitated a drastic change in the approach towards intelligence gathering.

Saddened by the disturbing development, a former Delhi Police Commissioner termed the terrorist strikes as a frontal attack. “Although the militants had used assault rifles and grenades in the Red Fort attack in 2000, it was very different from what we are witnessing in Mumbai. While that was a sneak attack, this is a frontal assault by well-trained militants who are highly motivated. They do not appear to be terrorists, they are operating like commandos. It shows a paradigm shift in the modus operandi,” he said, adding that a new strategy would have to be drawn to counter such attacks.

According to the retired top cop, intelligence is key to counter-terror operations. He also pointed out that India’s involvement in “re-construction” of Afghanistan had irked the Taliban and the latest terror strike should be seen through that perspective.

Another senior police officer said: “The depressing scenario is indicative of the level of seriousness with which agencies gather purposeful intelligence. The country does not seem to have the expertise in developing strategic intelligence involving a simultaneous and complex study of various factors impacting the country’s security, based on which an elaborate and long-term plan can be chalked out.”

Despatching intelligence alerts to police offices has become a routine procedure. “It is so customary that most of us sometimes miss even screening these alerts. This only because of our previous experiences that the inputs are mostly vague and they lead us nowhere,” said the police officer, adding that intelligence operatives must be made accountable for the inputs they provide. “Beat policing is a traditional and basic concept, but most crucial and effective tool for law and order maintenance and physical intelligence gathering. But sadly it is being ignored. A major reason is that although police stations have a much higher sanctioned strength, a sizable manpower is diverted towards sundry activities like VIP security. The force that is for the masses is used for the security of a few. As a result, able personnel are not available for the crucial job. Ways should be devised to modernise the beat system as per present-day requirements,” he said.

According to the police officer, the Government is now mulling over urgent police reforms. “Over the years several commissions and committees have been set up on police reforms, but most of their recommendations were eventually not implemented. People would have noticed that after every major incident the Government issues similar statements and suddenly remembers about the requirements of security agencies,” he said, adding that these agencies keep sending proposals taking into account their present and future needs, but the files remain shelved.

“It means that someone somewhere was sitting on the proposals. If the police are punished for even small mistakes, why are those responsible for such big lapses not held responsible?” he asked.

Devesh K. Pandey

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi

News Update

Stories in this Section