Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Improve intelligence system to counter terror) that was published in Newsband

Improve intelligence system to counter terror

Delhi blast proves that determined terrorists can always get through. If the British armed forces, police and intelligence services and the Irish Republican Army could pull off some successful attacks, despite being heavily penetrated, why can’t India?

Terrorists don't succeed because they are necessarily not good at what they do. Some are gruesomely effective. Most are inept bunglers, often lacking adequate training or experience. The reason terrorism is the instrument of choice for those lacking an army but determined to impose their will on others through violence and inflict deniable damage is that it is so hard to counter. Even in what is the most sophisticated and intensive security environment on the planet, commercial aviation, we see time and again how terrorists with a little low-tech ingenuity can circumvent multimillion-pound high-tech detection systems.

Intelligence is the king of counterterrorism. British intelligence underwent a steep learning process from 9/11 onwards. The 2005 London bombers got through; but many other plots were foiled as their intelligence services, often working with allies, got their teeth deeper and deeper into their new home-grown Islamist target. Many people were arrested in the UK on suspicion of terrorism and some of them were charged - mostly as a result of good intelligence work.

India must consider intelligence as the highest priority counterterrorism activity. One of the greatest failings that allow the attacks to succeed is inadequate Information Technology. India needs a planned crime and criminal tracking network system to counter terrorists. These systems are extremely important in countering the complex terrorist threat that India faces.

As much background information as possible about terrorists can help cities like Mumbai and Delhi that live under the shadow of terrorism.

What we need is precise point intelligence about individuals and their intentions, capabilities and locations that allow us to arrest, kill or otherwise disrupt them before they can attack. That is achieved by electronic interception of their communications and human agents penetrating their networks.

The enemies have learned ever-more sophisticated counter-intelligence techniques: evading surveillance, establishing cut-outs between cell members and more careful use of communications and identity documents. This means we need intelligence operatives with discretion, commitment, creativity and powerful intellect. This requires substantial investment in resources. Much effort and skill goes into such activities.

Thus prime importance should be given to intelligence techniques while combating terrorists.