Harsha Kakar
The past year has seen the security environment deteriorating in the vicinity of the country. The success of the ISIS in Iraq and Syria in 2014 resulted in their ideology being exported throughout the region. Thus their footprints began appearing in Bangladesh, wherein they claimed responsibility for the murders of bloggers, foreigners, Shiites and security personnel. Afghanistan is already battling both, the Taliban and the ISIS.Pakistan is embedded by its own high levels of terrorism and sectarian violence, with an increasing presence of the IS. In his state of the union address, last week, President Obama stated that Pakistan could become a safe haven for terrorists and would continue to face instability for decades.
Cross border terrorism continues to haunt India. Each national event has intelligence inputs of suspected terrorist strikes, thus leading to a lock down in major cities, affecting normalcy of life. The border with Pakistan, though generally fenced and well protected, has stretches, through which there are regular ingresses. These are adopted by terrorists including for the recent strike in Pathankot.
Though a large part of the border with Bangladesh is fenced, however there are stretches, which comprise of riverine terrain, open for almost free movement at night. The resolution of the border issue with Bangladesh on the enclaves has yet to culminate in fencing and securing of demarcated borders. The borders with Nepal and Bhutan are open, lightly guarded and permitting a regular flow of population. While the Line of Actual Control with China is peaceful with no firing, being located in difficult terrain is unsuitable for anti- national elements to infiltrate.
Thus for the forces, responsible for national security and protection of the borders, the task is difficult. Their large deployment does not in any way; guarantee a secure nation. Determined terrorists aided and abetted by security agencies across the border, in league with smugglers, who regularly transit across, knowing the weak spots and patrol timings of own border troops, are able to make their way across, with almost complete impunity. The issue is further compounded by the regular failures of electronic devices deployed to aid security forces. In case not repaired immediately, or caused to fail at the right moment, only adds to the existing difficulties.
Each border for India poses a different challenge and threat, and hence needs a separate strategy. While there is minimal threat of movement of anti- national elements from Bhutan, the border with China caters to the threat of standoffs and patrols, of the military, based on claim lines. The border with Nepal does enable move of terrorists employing this axis, as also is the primary means of movement of fake currency and smuggling. It has recently opened avenues for move of Maoists insurgent leaders from their hideouts in central India to various China study centres opened in Southern Nepal, for obtaining material and financial support.
The Bangladesh border has vast opportunities for those elements seeking to harm the nation. While movement of population to the north east had always existed (the Assam agitation was the result of this movement), there is also movement into other parts of the country. Any anti-India government in power in Bangladesh opens avenues for terrorists from Pakistan. The border is presently employed as a route for cattle smugglingand movement of fake currency. This border now gains importance, as the growing presence of ISIS in the country, could soon be making its way into India.
For J and K and Punjab, the threat flows from the border with Pakistan. As per estimates of the BSF, there are 130 porous and vulnerable stretches or gaps, which are exploited by smugglers, terrorists or spies to infiltrate. In Punjab alone, out of a length of 533 Km of border, over 27 Km are unfenced. Thus the two states have over the years faced the brunt of state sponsored terrorism. The Government decision to increase the deployment of BSF in the Jammu sector by a battalion is a welcome announcement.
The Government needs to take a few urgent steps to prevent terrorists from succeeding. Firstly is to ensure that the gaps are covered, either by a second line or by electronic means. Where gaps exist and are known routes of smugglers, a second line in depth could be employed. Secondly is to enhance reliance on electronic meanswhile ensuring the availability of specialists to carry out in situ repairs 24 X 7, for any equipment failures. The importance of foiling attempts of infiltration enhances the security of the nation and its populace.
Thirdly is the requirement for affected states to revamp their police forces. By this it is essential that there are sufficient bullet proof jackets available, as also, the force undergo regular firing practices and joint exercises with the army and BSF. The state intelligence agencies should always be alert, as they are most ideal for gaining inputs and providing early warning. In states battling Maoist insurgencies, there are retired army officials responsible to train the police forces in counter insurgency, simultaneously for states most affected by terrorist strikes, there is a similar need.
For a nation like India, surrounded by states, slowly being consumed by radical elements, threatening the fabric of society, the importance of ensuring a secure border needs no elaboration. Since the most porous borders on both sides, come under the ministry of home, it is essential, that the issue be given serious consideration and immediate remedial measures adopted. The meeting chaired by the home minister in this regard last week, should result in positive outcomes.
A secure nation leads to a developed nation, since national security and national development are always closely linked. Further, foiled terrorist attempts give the nation an international standing in terms of efficiency and capability.
(The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army)
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