The showdown with the terrorists is over. The people who lost their loved ones are still grieving. The investigation has begun. News channels have slowly begun showing a little bit of other news as wellBlame has already been assigned to elements in Pakistan. Pak government vehemently denies any involvement of its official ranks. News channels have slowly starting to show a little bit of other news. Experts are being lined up at the talk shows analyzing what went wrong and what could be the implications. Now, let us examine what we could do in the future, to prevent such an attack or to reduce the damage in the event of the next attack.
1. Sharing of Intelligence between the agencies
Indian intelligence agencies, both at the state and national levels are widely considered as very competent. However, there is a fatal lack of a system to enable these individual agencies to share the intelligence and this fragmented system proves time and again to be very inefficient. We need to have a system put in place as soon as possible as a part of a single national security policy.
2. Formation of more efficient Emergency Management Agencies
The current system that manages crises like happen is voefully ill-equipped to handle these scenarios. There need to be a SWAT style commando system at each metro – big or small- to be able to handle everything from a small gang war situation to a major terrorist operation. In this incident, the first response squad that reached the TAJ hotel and other premises were really not ready to face such adversaries. This led to the death of Hemant Karkare, the head of the ATS, who rushed to the scene but was gunned down. We can learn from the operations in Israel or other western countries and come up with a better plan to do these. We have the elite men that can get the job done. What we lack is a good plan. And quick response by effective force is really vital.
3. Better management of the situation
The first thing that any operation like this should do is to cordon off a few blocks of the location and keep everyone, whether they are journalists or general public, off the scene. This helps the troops better handle the situation and also make sure that the commando operations cannot be leaked to the terrorists themselves through media. I’m sure this has been discussed already at this site. The live news is not really as important as the lives of the hostages.
After all, it is true that prevention is better than cure. However, once a malady occurs, we have to make sure that the cure is also quick, effective and responsible. Regardless of what we tell Pakistan to do, the terrorists will try to do what they want to do. What we have to do is to be ready.
Formost we have to investigate the source of the terrorist funding . Only then we get a bigger picture.
It is known that 9/11 investigation team did not track for long the source of the militants funds.Why..probably it is from inside
Everything has a motive. The aim of every investigation should be to reveal the REAL motive..thus marking it in the pages of history for man to know how ruthless he can get in the lust for power
Comment by Anoop P Alias — December 1, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
A good overview/analysis.
First point is surely relevant as this ensures integrity among various established agencies. But, I’m afraid whether this could be achieved soon in India. You & I know, what’s the politics around.
Politics is never bad, and is unavoidable for a democratic country. What we must get rid of, is, Party Politics / Vote Bank Politics. I’m sure, we usually mean this, when we say just ‘politics’.
In this context, taking some other country as example will do huge advantage. Being self – reliant doesn’t mean we’ve to invent everything on our own. After all, the World is designed to be progressed with the constructive input from each and every inhibitor of it.
We always quote America, when we talk international. Let’s take the case here too. When they face some National Security Emergency situation, they all acts as a closely-knit powerful team with the sole aim of cracking down the problem/situation. This could be a great example for us.
Now, let me talk in respect of the recent terribly unfortunate event. While drawing conclusions from the steps taken by Govt/Forces to bring down the situation, REMEMBER THAT WE LOST 3 CHIEFS WHO WERE THE ONES TO PLAY THE KEY ROLE, right AT THE BEGINNING.
I am sure, if that hadn’t happened, “The War on Mumbai” would have a seriously different story to portray.
What I point out is that, don’t judge our preparedness/counter-attack-skills solely on the basis of what we’ve seen now. This was the first of its kind ever in our country. If we were to apply the laws of statistics and logic, no comments/conclusions could be driven out of this event, as there IS NO SUFFICIENT DATA AVAILABLE for analysis. (and hopefully, we need no more of such data, though !!)
Again, regarding the media.
“The live news is not really as important as the lives of the hostages.” – I agree.
There needs to be some policy-guidelines that must be given to all media companies so that, they would’ve a code of conduct during sensitive events like these. Again, you can’t condemn the media for having aired risky-reports-from-correspondents which are to be avoided, since it’s the first time that they handle something at this scale.
This prominently projects the need for a centralised news distribution system by the authorities or the Govt. as this would ensure that, no sensitive information is publicized, but, people are kept updated too.
Many related events (like Politicians being not-welcomed by the public and rise of matured and powerful citizen journalism), shows that the CHANGE for the BETTERMENT has started its way. We are on the right track.
Comment by Aravind Jose T. — December 1, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
Here’s OUR ACTION PLAN AGAINST TERRORISM
Here’s how we can fight terrorism:
http://muglikar.multiply.com/journal/item/61/To_Know_Your_Duty_in_Fighting_Against_Terrorism
NSG Shahid Maj.Sandip Unnikrishnan’s ORKUT PROFILE:
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Profile.aspx?uid=5185304287748406909
Comment by anand — December 1, 2008 @ 8:58 pm
Safety should be the #1 priority in any city or public spaces. Think about the situation if you leave your house wondering if this is going to be your last step out.
Some welcome changes have come out of this barbarian act, nevertheless. Politicians will be wary of Indian public and their reaction; the message has got into them that everything and anything will not be tolerated…They’ve been sent to do a duty: protect our life and property. If they are going to bungle their job over and over again, then the reactions from common man will one day spillover.
Lets pray for God sake that the selfless heroes who gave their lives for the cause of our country will eventually be due respected. Let their martyrdom not be in vain.
Comment by scorpiogenius — December 1, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
@Anoop P Alias
I agree. Motive has to be revealed. However, what all do you think that they wanted to accomplish and what all did they accomplish?
This could help us avoid certain unfortunate actions.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — December 2, 2008 @ 1:57 am
@AJT
1. Such a system can be achieved easily by expanding the authority of CBI. Now the govt. has declared that they will come up with a Federal Investigation agency. But we already have one at that level. All we need to do is to reform it and make sure that intelligence gathering from the state agencies are shared at a federal level (both ways)
2. You are right. We can formulate an emergency plan based on many countries that have proved to have effective methods.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — December 2, 2008 @ 2:02 am
3. My point was that, a good emergency plan can take care of a whole lot of stuff, not only terrorist attacks, but also other day to day crime as well.
The SWAT system (not just the teams, but the whole plans, procedures etc.) are so efficient in all kinds of scenarios. They take care of day to day crimes like some gunman in a store or a bank as well as more serious stuff.
We can seriously do something in the same lines. Learn our lessons and improve the system for a quick and effective response. Like the Israelis have commented, the first thing to do at a scene is not to go in with the guns blazing. What they would do is to first secure the location, cordon off a few blocks, and make a plan before jumping in.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — December 2, 2008 @ 2:09 am
4. If the commandos and the security forces secure the place and keep everyone away (upto ten blocks), most of the leaks can be managed.
Yes, I agree, we are going in the right direction.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — December 2, 2008 @ 2:12 am
@Scorpio
Yeah, I hope the politicians actually do something rather than making the maximum political mileage.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — December 2, 2008 @ 2:20 am
1. Considering the last Bomb blast in Jaipur, Train blasts in Bombay.(Most of the terrorist attacks in India are bomb blasts), How can a commano operation can save life of common people from a bomb.
2. How can intelligence agency differentiate between a civilan and a terrorist. Does there exist any ways to identify a self motivated terrorist. Any particular name or colour to do so.
3. Do you beleive that, terrorist groups will give notice of upcoming attacks, or centers of attraction, so that our intelligence will be able to catch them.
Comment by Tony — December 2, 2008 @ 10:04 am
“The live news is not really as important as the lives of the hostages.”
Yes I completely agree with it.
Comment by കേരളഫാര്മര് — December 2, 2008 @ 10:09 am
Well regarding my suggestion is that
Prime Cities like Metros and cities of strategic importance needs to be fortified, means there should be only 2 or 3 land routes to enter into the city, effectively sealing of the city. And these land routes needs to have a check points upon entry and exit, where detailed checking could be done with help of X-Ray machines, Detectors and Sniffer dogs. And all cars entering and exiting needs to be registered automatically or manually. A CCTV needs to be installed at such gate points to capture the faces of the people entering and exiting the city.
2. Each such city needs to have a special unit of fast moving commandos well equipped and trained with suppport and logistics facility.
3. There should be one Police station within this city limit, dedicated to Commando services assistance, with specially trained police force.
4. if such cities are closer to seas or inland water source, a Marine Police unit needs to be formed with regular intense patrols.
5. Instead of Fire force, there should be a co-ordinated dept called Civil Defence, raised on model of an Armed forces with units dedicated for Fire and rescue operations. Such Civil Defence forces, also should be trained with emergency operations, medical operations and even arm operations. So currently when Fire and resuce force when need to operate, needs support of commandos for cover. But a civil defence doesnot, as it has both resuce and armed operations.
6. Establishment of a Federal Police with Federal Police limits, exclusively for National Internal security. Federal Police will be empowered to take up cases involving different states etc.
7. Establishment of National Security Intelligence- NSI, on model of RAW, which should be apex intelligence agency for the nation. By law, all the state govt intelligence bureau and other police intelligence needs to be jointly reported at NSI and NSI will have powers to direct Federal Police to take any action, based on its information
8. State Government’s Home or police must be limited to State law and order and state level crimes investigation etc, envisionging more powers to the Federal Police.
9. Coastal areas needs to be extra protected by means of complusory national level registration of all boats and vessels with a Satellite tracker Registration Number, so as the position of the ships could be tracked.
10. There should be complusory opening of Coastal Police station as well as Marine Police Station near water bodies, with regular patrols
11. Apart from these, right from 7th standard onwards, it should be made complusory to Join in NCC for receving basic skills in armed activities and complusory one year service in Paramiliary Force after 12th standard. Likewise there should be special education and training given to all the citizens like Disaster management, Safety awareness and Emergency operations, thro’ help of various NGOS and volutanry groups.
Comment by Arun Mohan — December 2, 2008 @ 10:24 am
@Tony,
Points 2,3 : A normal police force cannot identify terrorists, at least not always. Also, the plans of terrorists would be unknown to the cops.
This is exactly the reason why our security has to be driven by intelligence. There are multiple ways for intelligence agencies (effective ones) gather these information. The Indian agencies seem to be in the same state of mind as what you have told. But what I am suggesting is not some dream.
Already competent intelligence agencies like Mossad gathers these information through their own methods and channels. Even the American CIA is now quite efficient in gathering intelligence and thereby using it to ensure security. This is exactly the role of RAW and CBI in terms of national security.
Point 1: Bomb blasts could not have been prevented by a commando operation as it is happening, but that is like applying a bandaid while someone is undergoing a motor accident. The primary method of security should be intelligence. Then for other situations, whether it is a terrorist attack or a regular bank robbery, the SWAT teams should be ready at each city. In Mumbai, these commandos had to be brought from Delhi. This is not a modern system, it may have worked in 1950, not in the twenty first century.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — December 3, 2008 @ 5:04 am
@ Kerala Farmer,
Sir, you are the best. Thank you for the support.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — December 3, 2008 @ 5:04 am
@Arun Mohan
Let me list the comments
1. I think it is impractical.
2,3,4,5. Yes, I absolutely agree. What you described is exactly what the country needs. A modern security force that is actually capable of protecting us.
6,7,8. True, a federal level agency (which is actually announced by the govt.) is really in need. I hope whatever they are forming come up to the standards.
9,10 Yes, this incident has proved that the coast is a vulnerability to India. We should protect it. Also, Indian Navy should be positioned and patrolling in the outer sea in the vulnerable areas where penetration is likely to happen.
11. Yes, we need a training for everyone on how to act in a state of emergency. Such training is always done in most of the Western countries. The citizens should be knowing and be able to do what they are expected to be doing.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — December 3, 2008 @ 5:11 am
check out todays (3rs DEC) Malayala Manorama. The terrorists who has been caught alive has asked the officials to kill him;otherwise his family would be killed in Pakistan.He has also said that he was a local thief and he joined the group for money (1.5 lakh if he is dead!).
Add to that the recent findinds of youth joining from kerala for the lust of big money
All point to the simple fact that..people having mad ideas are often cowards!…it is money and only money that put their mad ideas into practical. The best method would be to keep a track of all money flows by using extensive intelligence tactics and do a wiretapping on all sat-phones( normal peole dont use a sat-phone!)
Prevention is always better than cure.There is no point in creating a defense force to counter terrorism .Its always best to build a intelligence strategy that would aid in preventing the attack
A great Mossad Fan
Comment by Anoop P Alias — December 3, 2008 @ 8:38 am
dear Domestic Avalance,
i feel, fortification of the city is a good option, as many cities across the world do have, though not commonly seen. For example, the entire Berlin city is fortified and entry is limited with pass systems at selected check points.
The dubai govt has announced its plans to introduce Salik (automated toll system) across all the 3 Entry points to Dubai and 5 Exit points. This means if providing Idenity card or Pataka is made complusory to obtain Salik Card, naturally its equivalent to a fortification, because cameras are installed at the entrance of such gates and security forces
Likewise Tokoyo city is semi-fortified with a fence across the city and entry restricted to certain entry-exit points.
We must understand, none of our cities are planned and more than 200 bylanes and sub roads are currently present, all leading into various crucial portions of the city. This could be stopped, atleast by defining the borders of the city and fencing across the borders, atleast to prevent people to enter illegally into city. Because currently terrorists happen to enter bombay thro’ Seas. But its more difficult to detect, if they have entered via road…………..
Comment by Arun Mohan — December 3, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
Most of the solutions offered here are good – though the thought of fortification of the City might be a problem. But all this is useless with our culture of corruption and “Kuch be chaltha hai”
India needs a serious overhaul. People need to start taking responsibility seriously. From the common man to the bureaucrat to the politician!
Comment by JMJ — December 4, 2008 @ 5:24 pm