India’s anti-terror tactics on 26/11 eve

As we reach the first anniversary of 26/11, the obvious questions are “Are we better prepared?” The answer is “Yes, there is greater awareness and coordination amongst various agencies, despite manpower and material shortages.” “Is it possible to foil all 26/11-type future attempts?” The answer is, “No. Though government sanctions for manpower and equipment are in place, these will be progressively inducted only by about 2015”. The recent spate of “Red terror alerts” should not surprise anyone, since the risks of a terror attack by land, air or sea will be highest between now and October 2010, with a view of disrupting the Commonwealth Games. As time passes, and hopefully our anti-terror mechanism gets more effective, the nation’s vulnerability to terror attacks will reduce.

Just as infiltration risks increase in Kashmir with the melting of snow, the risk of small boat terror attacks off the west coast (and piracy off the distant Gulf of Aden) increases with the end of the monsoons by early October each year. The infamous Kuber trawler-type terrorist operations of 26/11 become possible between October and May when the seas are calmer, putting at risk, vital installations, tourist spots, hotels, schools etc. in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and the rest of the west coast. Enterprising terrorists may also use larger merchant ships from Pakistan or the piracy-infested Gulf of Aden to reach targets on the west or east coast or Andaman and Nicobar islands and disembark terror teams by small rubber boats to spread carnage. Alternatively, Bangladesh-based ISI-LeT-supported terrorists maybe tempted to use the sea routes to carry out terror attacks on the east coast. In addition, terrorists may attempt to strike hinterland targets using land and air routes.

Though the newly-created Indian Marine Police (IMP) has set up some of the planned seven dozen coastal police stations, they have only received about four dozen of the total of 20 dozen small five-tonne and 12-tonne-high speed boats. The IMP needs more than 500 small high-speed boats and about 12 dozen coastal police stations for more effective patrolling.

The badly needed chain of coastal radar stations, with real-time data links are yet to be installed, though committees have travelled the globe to assess similar systems in foreign lands. It is expected that phase 1 (west coast) of this Rs 300-crore Coastal Radar Chain may be ready by 2010. Also, while all vessels (including fishing boats) above 20-metre length have been fitted with the Electronic Automatic Identification System (AIS), a suitable AIS is yet to be found for the thousands of very small fishing boats. About a thousand Distress Alert Transmitters (DATs) have been given free by the government to fishing boats, who can raise a radio alarm in case of being attacked by terrorists. But do remember that each coast of India has over 1,50,000 small fishing boats, with no modern navigation or communication devices. There is an urgent need to provide free AIS and DATs, along with communication sets, to at least two to five out of a group of every 30 to 50 fishing boats. Some progress has been made in giving identity cards to fishermen, and the same also needs to be implemented for sailors sailing on international and domestic shipping.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) with 7,000 men, 70 vessels and 44 aircraft, has received government sanctions for doubling its manpower, patrol vessels and aviation assets, but this will be achieved only by 2015. In my opinion, the ICG urgently needs to quadruple its strength. Fortunately, post-26/11, the ICG has been permitted by the government to search suspected ships in harbour. A new ICG shore station was commissioned in Karwar in November, while similar stations are expected to become operational by February 2010 in Veraval (Gujarat) and Murud Janjira (Maharashtra).

Pre-arrival notification (PAN) of merchant ships, 96 hours prior to entering port, is being given by the shipping agents to the port authorities and the ICG. The crew of every merchant ship must face the immigration and customs authorities and obtain clearance in the same manner as at the international airports.

The Indian Navy, too, will need time to induct the proposed 80 plus 15 small Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) and get trained men for its 1,000-strong Sagar Prahari Bal. In the interim, existing manpower and hired boats are being used for security of ports and offshore oil rigs. To additionally cater to the east coast and the island territories, the Navy will require a total of 200 FIC and a 3000-strong Sagar Prahari Bal. The Navy needs to have force levels to ensure complete Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) of every object moving at sea, in our present EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) of 200 nautical miles.

The long-neglected harbour police and city police, earlier equipped to deal with petty criminals, are slowly receiving equipment and training to prepare for challenges posed by fourth generation warfare terrorist threats of the 21st century. There are no reports as to whether the over 1,50,000 manpower shortages in the police force have been made up. Similarly, it is to be presumed that the intelligence agencies (IB and RAW) will need till about 2012 to recruit and train badly needed field operatives, and also induct electronic snooping equipment.

Other issues of maritime security which need to be implemented and audited are proper implementation of the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code), CSI (Container Security Initiative), AIS (Shipborne Automatic Identification System) and the proposed LRITS (Long-Range Identification and Tracking System). The issue of land and air security too needs attention. The porous land borders with Nepal, Bangladesh and Burma need to be sealed. The gaps in radar-cum-fighter-cum-anti-air missile coverage of the IAF need to be plugged. It is time we emulated the American system of photographing and electronic fingerprinting of every incoming visitor at our international airports, seaports, railway stations and bus stations. To conclude, the possibility of terror strikes till about 2015 is still very high. The only interim antidote is real time cooperation with international intelligence agencies, continued 24x7 alert and a public declaration that India will respond with a military strike at the source of terror in case of another terror strike.

Vice-Admiral Arun Kumar Singh retired as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam