Failure of intelligence
R. Bhanu Krishna Kiran
Since 2005, bomb blasts have taken place at strategically selected malleable targets in crowded areas proceeding to maximum human casualties and demonstrating that India is vulnerable to terrorist attacks. These terror attacks can be pre-empted by effective intelligence-gathering. Intelligence agencies have consistently failed to infiltrate known terror cells and to redeem efficient information structures competent to thwart possible attacks.
Shortcomings
It is very difficult to collect the information in a large, complex and diversified country like India. The Intelligence Bureau (IB), in charge of homeland security covert operations, is unfortunately, inadequate with its strength of 20,000 for a massive Indian population. Among this force only 3,500 field agents are providing the tactical information regarding the internal security of the country. India has just 126 officers for one 100,000 people compared to the United Nations norms. It is perceptible that only 10 per cent of the IB is concerned with real dangerous and precarious field operations. The Saxena committee has recommended to create 3,000 more posts, but the government has granted only 1,400 posts.
The craft of intelligence is inter-disciplinary and analytical. It needs expertise to solve the intelligence puzzles. The focus of the IB is on collection and not on analysis of future trends. It has not reshaped according to the age of information nor incorporated technology elements into its strategic and tactical doctrines.
Many of the state intelligence units are scantily staffed, lack training, and are ill-equipped to combat terrorism effectively. Central and state intelligence agencies give priority to human intelligence over high-tech methods whereas countries like Israel use sophisticated technologies for detecting explosives and arms at a distance, electronic eavesdropping, signal intelligence, and visual intelligence.
Lack of integration
The plan’s success relies not only on the type of intelligence obtained and its quality, but also on effective circulation in the shortest time possible among all agencies involved. Without such a coordinating framework, the efficacy of the security forces is compromised.
It is vital to note that intelligence capabilities are refined and extended beyond the IB since the state and local authorities must be involved in identifying, analysing and responding to the current threats and acts. It is necessary to achieve integration between all levels of government to develop measures and deterrence against terror attacks.
According to Article 246, Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the States have exclusive power to make laws on subjects mentioned in the State List. Public order and police are in the State List. As law and order is a state subject, government agencies are facing the problem in tackling terror. They need the permission of the particular state government to investigate the matter. It has become difficult to apprehend the culprits and bring them to trial. As terrorism has inter-state spans, a federal investigation agency is needed to integrate intelligence gathering and investigation, and provide the inputs for arrest and prosecution.
Good intelligence is more than 50 per cent of the solutions to the problem.
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