How should the Indian government respond to the Mumbai blasts?
India has suffered Pak-sponsored covert activities for over two decades now. Terrorist attacks are only its visible manifestations, the malignancy is much deeper. Pakistan considers covert action as an effective, sustainable instrument to achieve its politico-strategic objectives. It will not abandon this policy option unless forced to. A situation has to be created so that Pakistan cannot afford to continue with terrorism. In the defensive mode, no security system can provide 24x7 protection to a billion people against trained terrorists. A shift from defensive defence to offensive defence, both externally and internally, is needed. It will have to be a major political decision.
Are laws and present intelligence doctrines adequate to deal with this challenge?
India’s laws are grossly inadequate. We need stringent laws that have deterrence value. Empower and enable the security agencies... provide exemplary punishments for misuse and exercise it with an iron hand.
What are our immediate challenges?
Pakistan has an extensive infrastructure to bleed India, including sanctuaries and camps. Then there’s the madrassas producing an unending stream of jehadis, global pan-Islamic modules in India. There’s also the intelligence encirclement of India in our neighbourhood. Of late, Bangladesh has emerged as a major launching base. Each ingredient of this intricate structure will have to be tackled.
What actions can be taken at the overt level?
It has to be multi-layered and multi-faceted—from legislative measures to policy formulation and policy execution. It should include action on the political, diplomatic and media fronts as well. All this must be seamlessly intertwined with our intelligence operations. We must invest in human resource development as well as continuously upgrade the skills and resources of India’s intelligence community.
And what covert measures can we take....
If I told you that, it wouldn’t be covert. But it has to be an integrated response. Covert actions must be ever-changing...keeping the adversaries on the run.
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