Introduction

• Terrorism is hardly a post-modern phenomenon. Several of the terror attacks in the 21st century reflect a paradigmatic change in the tactics of asymmetric warfare, and the practice of violence.
• Today’s attacks carried out in different corners of the world by various terror outfits are very different from those witnessed in the previous century.
• The tactics employed may vary, but the objective is common, viz. achieving mass casualties and widespread destruction.
• The 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was the rarest of rare cases, where one state’s resources, viz. Pakistan’s, were employed to carry out a series of terror attacks in a major Indian city.
• After ten years of the terror attack, it is important to analyse state sponsored terrorism and preparedness of India.

Involvement of “deep state” of Pakistan in Mumbai Terror Attacks

• Deep state refers to unelected shadow government who takes majority of the policy and strategic decision.
• Thus, deep state is where military, bureaucracy, intelligence community and sometimes even judiciary undermine the writ of an elected government.
• It’s like having a ‘State within a State’ whose influence is hard to overlook.
• The attack was planned strategically and in advance by the deep state of Pakistan involving the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate, Pakistani armed forces and involvement of the Pakistani Special Forces in preparing the 10-member fidayeen group who carried out the attack.

Steps taken by India

• In the wake of the terror attack, several steps were initiated to streamline the security set-up.
• Coastal security was given high priority, and it is with the Navy/Coast Guard/marine police.
• National Investigation Agency (NIA) – a specialised agency to deal with terrorist offences was set up and has been functioning from January 2009.
• The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has been constituted to create an appropriate database of security related information.
• Four new operational hubs for the National Security Guard (NSG) have been created to ensure rapid response to any future terror attacks.
• The Multi Agency Centre, which functions under the Intelligence Bureau, was further strengthened and its activities expanded.
• The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), created in 2002 mandated to collect, collate and evaluate intelligence from other service agencies.
• The Navy constituted a Joint Operations Centre to keep vigil over India’s extended coastline.

New terror threats in the modern world driven by technology

• Despite streamlining of counter-terrorism measures, it is important to remain vigilant from the terrorist groups.
• These terrorist groups have resorted to use better and sophisticated technologies, have adopted newer and bolder methodologies and ensure execution of their deeply laid plans with the aid of state-of-the-art weapons and communication system which is difficult to trace.
• Use of ‘enabled terror’ or ‘remote controlled terror’, where violence can be unleashed guided by a controller thousands of miles away poses a much dangerous world.
• Thus, internet-enabled terrorism and resort to remote plotting is the new threat.

Conclusion

• As of now, there are no ready-made answers to this new threat operating behind a wall of anonymity and secrecy which is difficult to trace.
• Terrorism remains a major threat and with terrorism mutating into a global franchise, the threat potential has become greater.
• Thus, vigilance is important, but remaining ahead of the curve is even more vital in this modern world driven by technology.