Synopsis: Forces trained for conventional warfare don’t expect war zones in metropolitan cities. Terror groups have changed the nature of combat today.
Indian armed forces protect the country from external aggression.
Community services
Trained for conventional warfare, they know the rules of engagement, and expect to fight accordingly.
Within the country, they provide community services like relief and rescue operations during natural calamities, earthquakes, floods and so on.
In a stable democracy, war zones in the heart of metropolitan cities aren’t imagined, so public security is left to the police.
Guerrilla tactics
But in Mumbai, the enemy playing outside rules, struck with audacity and strategic sophistication almost unbelievable. In small teams carrying small arms, the fidayeen fanned into landmark locations of the urban city.
The guerrilla tactics enabled just ten young fanatics to wreck havoc over three days - killing, wounding, and destroying.
Combat units
Terror groups have raised their tactical levels from suicide bombings. The more dangerous objective of each small team dispersed amongst populations is to heap the body count before ammunition, or their life, runs out.
It’s changed the nature of combat today. Experts say that to counter urban terrorism, the ideal close combat unit is the swift and agile 4-men fire team, highly skilled in fighting dispersed mini-battles.
These security units are networked, mutually supporting and semi-autonomous. Their weapons and tactical expertise enable them to operate individually to secure endangered streets, courtyards and houses.
Canes in crisis
The first responders in Mumbai, the police, were ill equipped to contain war crisis. They were in the fray with bamboo canes, and service revolvers against AK-47s and grenades.
State and central ministers too, were clueless about assessing the danger or coping with it. Slow responses raised the toll.
Interventions by elite commandos and army contingents finally halted the mayhem.
Inadequate
Public security and crisis management networks in India thus proved abysmal in quantity and quality. A few measures are planned like an NSG plane and 500 more commandos.
These aren’t nearly enough. A widespread national security network should link all security personnel, including policemen now lowest on the rung.
The first responders need experience with modern equipment and regular training in close fighting strategies to be effective against the unexpected - or even to recognize it.
Most importantly, security personnel duty bound to constantly lay their lives on the line to protect others, should receive far better salaries, benefits and insurance than that available to them at present.
Grassroots support
Terrorism’s success is in their front organizations focusing on connecting with people at the grassroots.
In poverty stricken areas, they build schools, hospitals, and so on. Their humane face wins the minds and hearts of people forgotten by their governments.
This creates for them a strong social support base. It also allows the training camps to flourish, ensuring the flow of fanatical fervour.
For example, the Taliban is quietly growing influence in Afghanistan. Now reportedly, it has a presence in 72 percent of the country...surely a lesson lies therein.
Cont’d 4…ability to make change
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