Securitymen await BJP government’s decision on using armed forces against Naxals

[Rahul9090]

NEW DELHI: The security establishment at the UnionHome Ministryis keenly watching if theNarendra Modiled governmentwill bite the bullet on using the armed forces in its fight against the Naxals as proposed to the Cabinet by the Home Ministry under the tenure ofP Chidambaramin 2012. The move was thwarted by theDefence Ministrythen.

ET has accessed a note put before theCabinet Committee on Securityby the Home Ministry in 2012 which had proposed usingIndian Air Forcegunships to strike against the Naxals if there was clear and specific intelligence of their presence in an area. It was proposed that in case there was specific intelligence that there was a "large congregation of armed military platoons" of Naxals in a particular area, IAF gunships could be used to attack them from air.

It was also proposed in that note by the Home Ministry that Rashtriya Rif les of theIndian Armyshould be posted in Naxaldominated areas in "non-combat roles" to fill up the huge gaps in security presence there. The note had mentioned that there were still large areas in Naxaldominated parts where there was no security presence and it would take 3-4 years for the paramilitary forces like CRPF and BSF to increase their manpower to have their footprints there.

It was suggested then by the Home Ministry that Rashtriya Rifles should be deployed in such areas to provide cover for development activities but not in combat roles. The RR, however, was planned to be mandated to fire back in self defence if attacked by the extremists. However, the Defence Ministry then did not agree with the Home Ministry's proposals and UPA could not make much headway.

A senior Home Ministry official told ET on Tuesday that it would be "interesting" to see the new government's approach towards this issue as the BJP, and its top leaders including Narendra Modi andRajnath Singh, have taken a tough stand against the Naxals.

"A major Naxal attack could test the temperament of the new BJP government... it remains to be seen if a recourse to the armed forces is taken to take the fight to the Naxals, especially since there was an earlier proposal on the table to do this but got lost in the indecisiveness of theUPA government," the official said


.

"There is a case for the air support to go beyond support role," a ministry official said. Also, lately, the UAVs employed by the National Technical Research Organisation in Naxal areas have provided good pin-pointed intelligence on the presence of Naxals in remote areas.


Securitymen await BJP government’s decision on using armed forces against Naxals - The Economic Times

 

[Abingdonboy]

and it would take 3-4 years for the paramilitary forces like CRPF and BSF to increase their manpower to have their footprints there.

This was in 2012 so in 1-2 years the CAPFs will have enough manpower on the ground making a RR deployment pretty pointless now. Secondly the IAF have said they don't want to use airpower against the Naxals- the have never used airpower against any of the insurgencies that have presented themselves throughout modern India's history. As such I don't see this happening- the Indian Mil will make their position against this known and Modi will likely heed their advice.

The budget of the CAPFs needs to be bolstered and they need to get even more equipment to allow them to operate on their own without needing military support- this is what Modi should authorise, a 15-20% increase in the CAPF's budgets.

 

[Bang Galore]

This was in 2012 so in 1-2 years the CAPFs will have enough manpower on the ground making a RR deployment pretty pointless now. Secondly the IAF have said they don't want to use airpower against the Naxals- the have never used airpower against any of the insurgencies that have presented themselves throughout modern India's history. As such I don't see this happening- the Indian Mil will make their position against this known and Modi will likely heed their advice.

The budget of the CAPFs needs to be bolstered and they need to get even more equipment to allow them to operate on their own without needing military support- this is what Modi should authorise, a 15-20% increase in the CAPF's budgets.

Prior history is not a valid argument, I see no reason not to use armed helicopters if confirmed Naxal presence is known of in a non civilian zone, example deep in the forest. This is not about indiscriminate use of airpower in civilian areas, the chances of collateral damage can be limited by specifying where it could be used. At the very least, it would sow fear in the naxal ranks & force them to be more cautious in grouping themselves for large strikes. Whether it is used or not, removing it as an option is foolish.

 

[janon]

This was in 2012 so in 1-2 years the CAPFs will have enough manpower on the ground making a RR deployment pretty pointless now. Secondly the IAF have said they don't want to use airpower against the Naxals- the have never used airpower against any of the insurgencies that have presented themselves throughout modern India's history. As such I don't see this happening- the Indian Mil will make their position against this known and Modi will likely heed their advice.

The budget of the CAPFs needs to be bolstered and they need to get even more equipment to allow them to operate on their own without needing military support- this is what Modi should authorise, a 15-20% increase in the CAPF's budgets.

They have, in the 60s in the north east.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Prior history is not a valid argument, I see no reason not to use armed helicopters if confirmed Naxal presence is known of in a non civilian zone, example deep in the forest. This is not about indiscriminate use of airpower in civilian areas, the chances of collateral damage can be limited by specifying where it could be used. At the very least, it would sow fear in the naxal ranks & force them to be more cautious in grouping themselves for large strikes. Whether it is used or not, removing it as an option is foolish.

You are just asking for a civilian massacre mate. It only takes one dubious piece of intel, one miscalculation and you have killed scores of innocents civilians and the whole campaign is tarnished. The Naxals aren't stupid, even today they are mixing in with the civilian populace and it is damned near impossible to tell an innocent from a Naxal, how often do you think they meet in large numbers well away from civilian centres today? Not much, they have already been burnt by CAPF ground force strikes on such meetings.

 

[Indo-guy]

You are just asking for a civilian massacre mate. It only takes one dubious piece of intel, one miscalculation and you have killed scores of innocents civilians and the whole campaign is tarnished. The Naxals aren't stupid, even today they are mixing in with the civilian populace and it is damned near impossible to tell an innocent from a Naxal, how often do you think they meet in large numbers well away from civilian centres today? Not much, they have already been burnt by CAPF ground force strikes on such meetings.

The collateral damage caused by indiscriminate use of airpower is potentially dangerous option .

It's not just like that Central government desisted from resorting to this option .

It has potential to further spread naxalism .

at present they are reportedly using UAVs with good results ...why not persist with that ?

what else possibly this use of airpower will bring to the table that UAVs can't?

 

[janon]

You are just asking for a civilian massacre mate. It only takes one dubious piece of intel, one miscalculation and you have killed scores of innocents civilians and the whole campaign is tarnished. The Naxals aren't stupid, even today they are mixing in with the civilian populace and it is damned near impossible to tell an innocent from a Naxal, how often do you think they meet in large numbers well away from civilian centres today? Not much, they have already been burnt by CAPF ground force strikes on such meetings.

The armedd forced aren't stupid either, they won't drop bombs on naxals mingling with civilians.

Airpower is no longer confined to bombs, unlike the 60s when jets dropped bombs on insurgents in the NE with disastrous effect, today we have UAVs and helicopter gunships. The former can recon the area for hours, the latter can shoot bullets at individual insurgents. Both these ought to be taken advantage of.

I'm sure they won't use bombs or missiles. And yes, there will be concentrations of naxals - how do you think they train?

 

[Abingdonboy]

The collateral damage caused by indiscriminate use of airpower is potentially dangerous option .
It's not just like that Central government desisted from resorting to this option .
It has potential to further spread naxalism

Agreed.

at present they are reportedly using UAVs with good results ...why not persist with that ?
what else possibly this use of airpower will bring to the table that UAVs can't?

Well these UAVs are purely for ISR purposes and are not armed but yes, they are having a good effect for coordinating ground force strikes.

 

[janon]

@vk17 - What is your opinion about the rashtriya rifles getting involved?

 

[OrionHunter]

BAD BAD IDEA!! The Army must be kept out of this.

WTF are the police and paramilitary forces meant for?

 

[Bang Galore]

You are just asking for a civilian massacre mate. It only takes one dubious piece of intel, one miscalculation and you have killed scores of innocents civilians and the whole campaign is tarnished. The Naxals aren't stupid, even today they are mixing in with the civilian populace and it is damned near impossible to tell an innocent from a Naxal, how often do you think they meet in large numbers well away from civilian centres today? Not much, they have already been burnt by CAPF ground force strikes on such meetings.

That might well be a damn good reason not to do it but taking the option off the table is foolish. Assume that a CRPF unit is under attack , there should be no automatic ban on using air power . It is being considered very seriously, the proposal is not being made by people not involved in the actual fighting.

The choices are limited, if the IAF does not want to get involved than the HM must have its own air wing if they feel that is the way to go. There can be no permanent IAF veto on the manner of how others have to fight the maoists.No logic there.

@vk17 - What is your opinion about the rashtriya rifles getting involved?

The idea seems to use RR in a non-combat role , excepting self defence. It seems that they want RR bases in areas of heavy maoist presence.

 

[Abingdonboy]

The armedd forced aren't stupid either, they won't drop bombs on naxals mingling with civilians.

Airpower is no longer confined to bombs, unlike the 60s when jets dropped bombs on insurgents in the NE with disastrous effect, today we have UAVs and helicopter gunships. The former can recon the area for hours, the latter can shoot bullets at individual insurgents. Both these ought to be taken advantage of.

I'm sure they won't use bombs or missiles. And yes, there will be concentrations of naxals - how do you think they train?

I still think it is a treacherous route to take and the IAF have, with more info than either of us, made their thoughts known and don't you think their views need to be respected on the matter?

UAVs being used in conjunction with ground forces is perhaps the most effective means of eliminating the enemy and ensuring the loss of civilian life is minimal although it does place these ground forces at great risk.


I am all for the IAF expending air operations AND for the CAPF's own organic air fleets being expanded, this was one of the main issues that have been identified again and again- the lack of helos for logistical purposes. I would also advocate the IAF deploying some Mi-35s to the fight to be used to escort Mi-17s taking part in MEDIVAC/CASEVAC missions inside enemy territory so that if the helo is targeted the gunships can provide covering fire for the Mi-17.


Additionally I think that all helos being used in the anti-nasal fight should be outfitted with door-mounted mini guns to provide just that little bit more protection for the helos and their crews operating in the region.

BAD BAD IDEA!! The Army must be kept out of this.

WTF are the police and paramilitary forces meant for?

Mate read the article. The CAPFs/police would still be there undertaking the actual combat missions, the RR would be used in non-combatant roles to plug some of the gaps the CAPFs are unable to fill right now as they are still in the process of expanding their manpower.

The choices are limited, if the IAF does not want to get involved than the HM must have its own air wing if they feel that is the way to go. There can be no permanent IAF veto on the manner of how others have to fight the maoists.No logic there.

If the IAF is ordered to by the civilian administration they will go no doubt about that (they already are there) but the question is whether to use airpower against the Naxals. Giving gunships to the CAPFs in their own air wings is the same issue- is it worth the risk?

 

[Kompromat]

We wish India goodluck with this COIN effort.

 

[Koovie]

BS, keep the military out of this! Better increase spending and training for our Central Police forces.

I swear it here and now, using force on this scale WILL CAUSE INNOCENT DEATHS and that is unacceptable on every level!

 

[bababhosundi]

Pitting the military against the ery people it is supposed to defend not a good idea. I would have a very big problem with that.

Today its the maoists, next could be the ganglands of UP, next what- unarmed protesters at India gate?

Internal threats should be handled by forces designated for that specific role. Military is meant for defending against foreign threats, not people who disagree with the government.