Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Learn from the US to tackle the terrorists' that was published in Newsband

Learn from the US to tackle the terrorists 

So another bomb blasted at a crowded marketplace in Hyderabad. This gave an opportunity to opposition parties to blame the ruling government of indifference to national security, incompetence and worse. Thus a major tragedy is once again being politicized. This is exactly what the terrorists must have wanted. They wanted to sharpen social and political divisions. And our politicians play into their hands like this.

Every terrorist attack is owing to an intelligence failure. But is it possible for anyone to devise intelligence capabilities that can ensure that an attack will never take place? The 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai did alert the government which did strengthen our intelligence departments. But in spite of this, a blast took place at Hyderabad.

But it was known that Hyderabad was a sensitive place, hence it is strange that the potential target area was not subjected to more intensive policing and surveillance. The city police ought to have stepped up patrolling, strengthened its network of informants and contacts, and increased the number of CCTV cameras in Hyderabad at least which was a logical target for terrorist groups. Such a place requires standard policing which can match the threats it faces.

The terrorist attack in Hyderabad is an example of how despite having the city put on alert through intelligence input beforehand, our country has been allowed to be placed as a soft target to the terrorists. Instead of rising to the occasion in taking immediate measures in coping the bloody aftermath, what was witnessed in the parliament was the same old blame-game by the opposition.

What is required is stricter policing and installing of counter terrorism mechanism in a more effective way. There should be perfect coordination among the multiple agencies working in this direction. Further our intelligence needs to be sharpened in such a manner that there can be a mechanism to pinpoint the geo-spot of suspected terrorist attack.

The need of the hour for the leaders in power is to set an example by throwing-off their gun-touting guards and use them for effective internal security and not make a mockery of tax-payers money. Most of these leaders do not need any such protection. It is in fact their own doings that has made them need such security arrangements.

It is a shame that our government has failed to do something worthwhile to effectively deal with our enemies, even after so many blasts and deaths.

The best thing for the government to do is to take a leaf from the United States of America in providing security and preventing terrorist attacks.