Of late Pakistan based terror
groups have been successfully attacking India security forces with impunity in
close vicinity to LC and deep inside. Much too the anguish of common citizen,
there appears to be very little in terms of qualitative response.
Army bases in spite of all possible
defensive measures of perimeter fencing; wall; patrolling with adequate night
surveillance capability have failed to deter these attacks inspire of some
quality of intelligence available.
Pakistan army denies all responsibility
inspire of some credible evidence having been provided in the past. In any case
deniability of terror action is part of state policy to bleed India. Moot questions
then arise are:-
Who is the
enemy?
What does
he aspire to achieve?
What is the
manifestation shape?
How to
defeat the threat?
Who is the enemy?
The enemy is
a civilian who has been trained in all skills needed to fight armed enemy by
indirect approach. Terrorist, called fidayeen or freedom fighter by the host
country. All are Muslims, could belong
to any country, having operated as part jihadi group somewhere ranging from
Afghanistan to Mid East or even Africa. Highly motivated has developed expertise in using high technology;
usage of explosives and latest gadgetry/weapons; physical and mental toughness
in addition to basic military skills but is ruthless in brutality. Compassion
and mercy not part of his personality domain. Fidayeen/suicide
bombers or whatever one calls these terrorists; the idea first appeared during
First World War. Japanese snipers would ties themselves on bamboo tops with
some rations to snipe at approaching enemy to delay/cause causalities and
impose caution whilst own troops got time to withdraw and prepare next
defensive positions. Also when Gen Mc Arthur tanks landed on beaches, Jap
soldiers would tie mines to their bodies and fall in front of the tank. Blowing
tank and self in the bargain. Japanese pilots would take on high value combat
missions flying in aircraft not yet fit to land. This is where the concept of
assured death with mission execution came into being. The motivation behind
suicidal mission was to defeat the enemy and fierce loyalty to the king. Terrorist
have followed the same ideology, motivation being, since fighting holy war, will
go to heaven post death.AM EXTREMELY HIGH MOTIVATION LEVEL
Terrorist is
a radicalised Muslim primarily executing mission during what he believes is jihad,
holy religious war for protection of Islam. He is supported by Pakistan Establishment.
IDENTITY WISE ENEMY IS BLURRED. This is the enemy posing new kind of threat.
What does he Aspire to Achieve
Pakistan
wants Kashmir to be its part; avenge 71 defeat wherein it’s lost East Pakistan-
now Bangla Desh. Since militarily it’s not feasible, it has used terror to back
up its strategy of annexing Kashmir. Terrorists from Al Qaida/Taliban/others
from Muslim countries fighting in Mid east/Africa/misguided youths from
Kashmir. Pakistan has cultivated a very powerful loyalist; media; opinion
makers and others to shape environments for this cause. Quite a chunk of
populace sympathises with local terror sirs as view them as standing against
states might on their behalf It has invested heavily as its long term battle of
attrition by using fake currency/drug money to fund terrorists activities.
Unrest in Valley is key to success
to ensure issue kept high on emotional fire. Separatist; local terrorist
leaders; supporters in Government service and forced allegiance from civil.
Fear; blackmail; money are used as tools to keep unemployed youth charged with
anti national activities. Using media; democracy; Human Rights; NGOs to its
advantage, it has managed huge followers/sympathisers with simple agenda of
Freedom.
India is paying very heavy price.
Huge defence/police presence and expenditure; youth radicalising; development
suffering; students loosing academic years; no industry coming in so no jobs.
It has virtually become economic cesspool with negative returns whereas huge
potential in tourism; cash crops; herbs.
Indian military might and democracy
enabling force application and negotiation through elected representatives is
thwarting Pakistan plans. Though huge security forces presence is hated by all
but its security curtain against terrorists.
Pak has achieved to economically
drain India by using currency printed in Pak; radicalised youth; bleeding
Kashmir and everyone suffering. India is paying huge price. Pak feels at some
point of time, mass frustration could become an uprising for Freedom from India
thus Kashmir can cede. Its ultimate dream.
What is Modus operandi?
Post
recruitment, he is trained at various camps imparting training in various
disciplines. Indoctrination to reformat thought process to replace humane
values with brutality and killing kafirs ; terrorising masses; suicide and
great glory in dying followed by trip to heaven. Depending on skills achieved
and level of motivation terrorist given responsibility for subsequent missions.
From training areas, he comes to HQ
via staging areas for target briefing and mission execution plan. Satellite
imagery and other intelligence available is shared during briefing. Necessary wherewithal
needed is provisioned and handed over closer to crossing venue, which is
generally from launch pads manned by border protection. Could spend few days to
study security forces activity and familiarise with area close to border. Guidance
coordination, if not done, would be done here.
After
crossing, move with the help of GPS by night or during day in the guise
depending on safety and prevalent security state. Guided from point to point by
agents/guides till reach the target area. In the vicinity of target area,
undertake extensive confirmatory reconnaissance of target area with the help of
local guides. Generally stay in safe houses provided by sympathisers/cells.
Strike with
surprise being most important factor. Early morning/sundown is most vulnerable
times for bases as routine changing from day to night and vice a versa. Aim of
terrorists is to cause maximum human damage and delay operations as much as
possible by taking shelter behind safe areas/taking hostage. This gives
advantage of mega media coverage adding to heroic value and vulnerability of
defence forces. This over a period of time destroys people’s faith in the invincibility
of the army.
How to defeat this threat?
Yes, new
threat needs new approach to defeat. Existing ways will fail and continue to
fail. Army traditionally fought with enemy’s army on the borders and fell back
once political negotiations took place post the war.
That’s history. Army must be prepared
to fight terrorist threat by understanding his way of fighting and evolve own
new way to defeat him. Standing armies have set predictable, mundane almost
lethargic routines and standardised procedures leaving /expecting very little
diversion from set procedures. Getting up for complete army depends on reveille
as per timings laid down in met tables. Routine follows thereafter. Set routine
and excessive dependence on procedures virtually destroys initiative of
soldier/junior leader. This is greatest weakness when faced with unpredictable situation
demanding different response.
Terrorist, on the other hand having
analysed army’s way exploits it fully. To beat him, think like a terrorist,
then and only then can he be defeated.
Suggestions to defeat the new
threat
·
Train soldier to think like a terrorist
·
Let soldiers plan operations as mock terrorists
·
Teach soldiers guise; deception; befriending locals
·
Intelligence gathering by mingling with
civilians/shopkeepers
·
Sleep by day; train body night operation with same efficiency
·
Small team unconventional operations planning and execution
·
Back to basics- jungle/mountain lore to understand
signs/ noises
·
Sniper firing – one shot assured kill at 2 kms
·
Handling of explosives/IED/first aid
·
Night/moon light operations with night devices
·
Extremely high physical fitness and mental alertness
·
Innovation
·
Mental toughness to bear very high degree of
discomfort.
·
Interrogation
·
Move out- be aggressive, only then victory assured.
Dominate area around
·
Defensive mentality is dangerous
·
Integrated info sharing and cord destruction of
terrorists by QRTs
·
Confidence in weapon; equipment handling
·
Surprise; stealth; deceit and minimal external support
to execute mission
·
Special precautions on days emotionally closer to jihadis.
Conclusion
New war,
combining regular and terror is a fact of life. It has to be fought and
defeated by analysing its vulnerability and exploiting the same. Procedural;
routine need to be replaced with innovation ;small team operations by using
aggression, guise, mixing /dominating
areas around and sniper fire /others weapons/equipment to minimise collateral
damage.
Break the
routine, come out of zero mistakes and take operational risks. Go out, seek and
destroy the terrorist by pre-empting by keeping sympathisers under watch with
help of police and sources.
Defeating demands
following new rules or keep facing defeat and sulking.
Choice is ours and nation won’t accept repeated failures.
Rise and succeed. Live upto our expectations
