TERRORISM
BOMB BLASTS IN DELHI
By Joginder Singh, IPS (Retd.)
In the present scenario of terrorism, old laws of game of the war and fair play
have become irrelevant. Infact, in these days of well planned high tech
terrorism, the conventional and customary approaches, in dealing with new age
crime have become irrelevant and outdated. No wars these days, especially the
low intensity slow bleeding one, are fought by the armed forces. The days of
Alexander and Napoleon are over.
Terror returned to Delhi, two days before Deepawali, on October 29, 2005, with
three serial bomb blasts claiming 61 lives and injuring more than 275, in the
crowded middle class markets at Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Govindpuri.
The three blasts took place within a span of 18 minutes - the first at Paharganj
market at 5.38 PM, the next at Govindpuri at 5.52 PM and the third at Sarojini
Nagar at 5.56 PM. Casualties could have been much higher, but for the fact, that
a detonator was not connected properly to a bomb planted at Khari Bawli, in
Chandni Chowk. It was diffused before it could explode. The bombs were
improvised explosive types, packed with sharpnels, which have been used to a
deadly effect in J&K.
Our leaders talk bravely, but their actions do not match their professions. The
latest attack is neither the first, nor the last, in the series of devastation,
that has been wrought on this city and its residents from time to time. What has
happened, two days before Deepwali, is nothing but cold-blooded assassinations
of the people, who had not harmed any body. Despite that we keep on quibbling in
the country whether the death penalty should be abolished. Late Rajiv Gandhi was
assassinated, more than 14 years ago. His assassins are still alive. They have
still, not been dispatched, to meet their victim. Same is true of those, who
attacked our Parliament. Infact, what the terrorists are doing, is sentencing
the innocent civilians to death by their bomb blasts. The only difference is
that, a few that is two or three are able to execute dozens of civilians in a
totally inhuman way. Whereas if they are sentenced to death, it is done by
following due procedure of law and they are executed in a very human way.
Delhi is not the only place, which has been subjected to such dastardly attacks.
Some other major attacks in the country are;
" MUMBAI: MARCH 12,1993 Serial Blasts, Killed 257, Injured 713, Accused: 193,
Discharged: 29, including Abu Asim Azmi, leader of Samajwadi Party. In jail: 37,
Rest: On bail or absconding. Trial started: June 30, 1995.
" AHMEDABAD: SEPT 24, 2002 Akshardham, Killed 34, Injured 40.
" AHMEDABAD: SEPT 24, 2002 Across Gujarat, Killed 2, Arrested 15, Coordinated
bomb blasts in state. Police still clueless about identity of attackers or their
motive.
" MUMBAI: MARCH 13, 2003 Blast in local train, Killed 11, Injured 70, Total
accused: 16, Arrested under: Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota).
" MUMBAI: AUGUST 25, 2003 Twin blasts at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazar,
Killed 52, Injured 100, Accused: 6, Facing trial: 5, Pota review committee
recommended discharge of two accused. Trial began two years later, August 2005.
" KOLKATA: JAN 22, 2002 USIS, Killed: 5 Policemen, Trial in a special court at
Presidency Jail, Main accused and 6 others sentenced to death. The case rattled
US.
" UP: JULY 6, 2005 Ayodhya, Killed 2, Injured 7, Five terrorists storm into make
shift temple in Ayodhya. All gunned down in exchange of fire with security
forces. Two persons, including a jawan, also killed. Arrest: Owner of taxi used
to ferry bomb, four others. Taxi owner let off later. Status: Trail underway.
" UP: AUGUST 18, 2002 Blast in Shramjivi Express, Killed 12, Injured 40, Arrest:
2 from Agra,1 from Kashmir. SIMI involvement established. Bail for 2, accused
Status: Trail on.
It appears that we have to live with the terrorism inspired, sustained and
supported by our neighbour Pakistan. It seems that a sense of complacency has
overtaken both the intelligence and police agencies. It is very much true that
we cannot thwart the attack of the terrorists at all the time in all places. It
is so, because a terrorist or a group of terrorists will choose the place and
timing of its own.
The prevalent intelligence policies aimed to protect sources and methods and
keep adversaries from gaining access to military secrets, and compartmentalising
intelligence are no more valid. Analysis and intelligence need to be shared to
pre-empt terrorist attacks. The old policies are ill suited to the challenge of
terrorism. It is almost unfeasible, to anticipate the unknown enemies, their
means of attack and their potential targets. There are many, diverse, and
changing terrorist groups. There is a need to cast a broad net, for gathering
information about threats and vulnerabilities to the Nation.
The formal, hierarchical, and compartmentalized, intelligence gathering and
information strategies of various agencies need to be replaced with a new design
incorporating flexible, decentralized networks of public and private information
providers, analysts, and users. Policymakers should establish systems to assure
access to critical information needed to address national security priorities.
Whatever may be claimed, the fact remains, that there are serious problems in
information sharing and acting on it. There is a need to bridge the lack of
communication and collaboration, both in the Intelligence Agencies and the
Government wings charged with implementing the consequential action.
We also need to remodel and refashion our laws so that the terrorists do not
take advantage of the same to destroy the Nation, in the name of liberalism and
human right.
"Hard-wiring" intelligence interaction when actors, methods, and targets are
uncertain definitely impairs our capacity, to adapt to changing threats and
defencelessness and weaknesses. We as a Nation and our Government need to move
with the changing situations and time, when advances in information technology,
Internet and teleconferencing know-how and tools, are equally available to the
Government and the terrorists. The impression one gets from various happening is
that Government agencies are one step behind and some times, many as against the
skills and information used by the terrorists.
Of course, it is not possible to guarantee, that all bomb attacks by terrorists
will be frustrated, but we can definitely learn from the inadequacies and
lapses, to put in place the best possible surveillance system and give all tools
required for effective policing. Unfortunately, we do not still have a law in
place in the country, to deal with terrorism. Terrorism is still legally
considered a State offence, and is left to the State Government to tackle it.
There is a talk that India would soon be a global power. But how can any
development take place, unless, we can ensure a trouble free climate in our
country and more so, in the very seat and under the very nose of the Central
Government. -CNF
(The writer was an IPS (Retd.) Former Director, CBI, India,)