Where is our strategy for tackling terrorism?

By Vijay Oberoi

The counter-terrorism operations in Mumbai have now been successfully completed. But this success came at a heavy cost, both in terms of loss of precious lives and destruction of infrastructure. The real loss though is the image of our country. The brave men of the NSG, which in reality is the Army, albeit incongruously with a police head, the para-commandos of the Army, the Marcos of the Navy, the helicopter pilots of the Air Force and the police have made the country proud with their gallant action and sacrifices. However, people across the nation want answers to important questions, including whether we have a strategy for tackling terrorism. This terrorist attack, in a long series of such attacks at different places, is the worst the country has faced in terms of any parameter.

However, this piece is not about the nature or severity of the attack but about the way the country is tackling such terrorist acts. It needs no emphasis that terrorism is the biggest threat to the unity and the sovereignty of the nation. Yet, we have learnt little after being targets of terrorist actions relentlessly over decades. The leadership appears to have such a myopic outlook that its continues to view terrorism as a law and order problem, when it is actually a form of warfare.

Why are we so helpless and devoid of imagination? The reason is that we have been unable to get our act together and we are dealing with this major menace in a fractured and uncoordinated manner. I am afraid this will not do. The overwhelming need is to formulate a comprehensive plan to deal effectively with terrorism.

It is only the military, and more specifically the Army, which has practical experience of dealing with terrorists in different parts of the country. Yet, the Army continues to be kept out of the policy formulation loop. It is, therefore, no surprise that we have failed to evolve a strategy for tackling different types of terrorist strikes. Theories are of little use in the face of practical experience. But is anyone listening? If the policy makers do not co-opt the Army in the new strategy, which hopefully would be formulated post the happenings in Mumbai, we would not have learnt any lesson from this immense tragedy.

The Army will still pull the nations’ chestnuts out of the fire, as it has been doing for the last 61 years, but possibly at an even bigger cost. Is that good enough for a country that is touted as a superpower of the future?

What have we done so far in formulating a strategy to counter terrorism? Nothing really, except a lot of talk. We do not have a strategy to deal with terrorism. All we do is crisis management, which is an anti-thesis of strategy and hence meaningless. Our intelligence agencies continue to be as clueless as ever, despite a policeman/intelligence official heading the security apparatus of the country for many years now. How ironic? The Centre and states lay blame on each other, as security is a state subject.

The political leadership continues to have its unwavering focus on the next elections, while the officials, both civilian administrators and police, are only concerned with gaining more and more power and pelf. A military person like me, watching the TV channels throughout these events, is struck by the chaos which was visible outside all the venues where the terrorists had struck, till the Army took over the situation. No one was apparently in command for coordinating the various operations. No formalised communication arrangements were visible, as everyone seemed to be communicating only by their mobiles. The media briefings were impromptu and only when mediapersons managed to corner a passing official. This underlines the lackadaisical manner in which we have been trying to tackle such a major threat.

So far, neither the political leadership, nor the Opposition parties, nor even the emergency core group or concerned bureaucrats have even hinted at a discernable plan for fighting terrorism. All the government is talking about is further strengthening laws, which is just one small aspect of the totality of actions that need to be taken.

So, what do we do? I propose a four-pronged approach. Firstly and most importantly, it is imperative to set up a unified command, which is fully autonomous and headed by only one person or entity. It must have full powers to act and must be given the complete wherewithal to develop and then execute a comprehensive strategy. Such an entity must have its independent chain of command to all states and further down to identified districts, regions and sub-regions. The excuse of security being a state subject must not come in the way; if necessary, the Constitution should be amended.

Secondly, the key to unravelling terrorists and their nefarious activities is a very high level of relevant and actionable intelligence, which would enable the police and other security forces to nab the terrorists before they commit dastardly acts. This needs a high degree of expertise; technical back-up; dedicated and fearless individuals, who can penetrate terrorist cells; funding; sharing of information as it is available; complete independence of action; no interference by political leaders and bureaucrats with their own agendas; and many other related actions.

Thirdly, immediate strengthening of the police forces in all states, as well as the Central police forces, if necessary with leadership from the Army and the revival of the concept of the “beat constable”, who was always the key functionary to feed the intelligence community. Many excuses are given as to why he is not available or why he is ineffective, but if accountability is built in and enforced and there is sufficient motivation, there is no reason for the beat constable not to regain his key position in identifying and reporting all illegal activity and presence of suspected individuals.

Fourthly, there is a need for our political leadership neither to appease any community or group, nor to spread the ideology of hate, particularly through inflaming religious sentiments and class and caste distinctions. This squarely falls in the realm of the government and the political parties.

None of these are unachievable, provided there is a will, centralised authority, accountability and an understanding of the magnitude of the task. We must not accept such acts passively, as we have been doing till now. In case there is an international angle to it, as seems to be the case, and if political and diplomatic actions do not produce results, then it is the duty of the government to take recourse to military action.

Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Former vice-chief of the Indian Army
Where is our strategy for tackling terrorism?