RescueRanger
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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Wednesday, July 07, 2010
By Ikram Sehgal
As if to demonstrate how fragile the law and order situation in Pakistan has become, two suicide bombers blew themselves up on July 1 at the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore, one of Pakistans holiest shrines; 44 people died and over 180 were injured. Only a few weeks ago, brazen and dastardly attacks were carried out against two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore. The casualties were horrendous and displayed the mind-set of those who have no respect for places of worship or human lives.
Some of Pakistans major cities continue to be hit by an increasing number of suicide attacks and concerns for the countrys security have risen sharply. In recent years many new terrorist groups have emerged, several existing groups have reconstituted themselves, and a new crop of militants has emerged, more violent and less conducive to political solutions than their predecessors. Links between many of these new and existing groups have strengthened that has given rise to fresh concerns for stability. A failed bombing attempt in New Yorks Times Square in May 2010 with links to Pakistan signifies the growing ambitions of many of these groups that had previously focused only on the region. Since we now live in an inter-connected world, terrorism cannot be seen in isolation against one particular nation or facet of civilization.
Despite the colossal losses in both men and material that Pakistan has had to endure at the hands of militant groups, it is baffling that we still seem to be grappling with developing a capacity to counter terrorism and insurgency.
Early in 2009, the government had announced creation of the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NCTA). NCTA was tasked with developing a counterterrorism strategy and acting as the focal point for coordinating counterterrorism efforts. It was said that a special force of eighty thousand troops would be recruited for the authority with funding from Pakistans allies but that is still a rumour and not a reality.
While the mechanism is now in place NCTA has been only given lip-service and was mostly dormant till now. The government has now activated the NCTA after the Data Darbar atrocity.
Fortunately NCTA has capable professionals in its hierarchy. For NCTA to be able to achieve its given role, the services of only the very best professionals must be acquired without any political interference or manoeuvring, and it must be given the tools and funding necessary. If political compulsion comes into play, the NTCA will have no teeth to implement the strategy it devises.
In order to be successful against militants it is imperative that we first understand the difference between counterinsurgency and counterterrorism and then devise a strategy to tackle them. In plain terms, counterterrorism entails tactics where direct action is taken against terrorists i.e. the terrorist is attacked directly. In contrast counterinsurgency is a policy where terrorists and insurgents are denied the support they need to function such as hiding places, food, intelligence, funding, etc. The population is turned against terrorists or insurgents by gaining intelligence on their activities thereby enabling counter terrorist forces to engage them. The reason that a counterinsurgency campaign is so much more comprehensive than a counter-terror campaign is that it involves a civilian component to stabilise the government, institutions, and necessities of the populace.
This is where Pakistan seems to be lacking. The war Pakistan is fighting today simply cannot be won by killing the insurgents. We need to consolidate on gains that have been achieved through the blood of our valiant Shahuda (martyrs) who died at the hands of militants in the Counter-Insurgency Operations (COIN). Focus must be made upon dissuading potential insurgents and those who are recruiting, training and deploying them. Modern counterinsurgency doctrine rests on the truism that achieving lasting stability even in the face of an armed insurgent enemy depends primarily on non-military actions and tools: dispensing equitable justice, building viable political institutions, resuscitating the national infrastructure, spurring the local economy, creating effective police forces and most importantly, maintaining absolute credibility. The security provided by large military forces may be an ongoing, sustaining pre-condition for such results, but it cannot guarantee them. Unfortunately, the actions of military forces do run some risk of empowering the terrorists or insurgents by alienating the local population.
There is a dire need to have a separate force to deal with terrorists. If one looks at the western nations, almost each country that has encountered the menace of terrorism, has an independent Counter Terrorist Force (CTF) that is tasked with countering (and only countering) terrorism. Their services are not waylaid for other tasks. Frances National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) is considered to be one of the worlds busiest and best counter-terrorist units.
The same applies for the United Kingdoms Special Air Services (SAS) that deals with special operations and counter terrorism. For Pakistan there is no disputing the need to focus on improving the woefully inadequate intelligence gathering, investigative methods and skills of the law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Equally pressing is the need for better coordination and information sharing between the numerous intelligence agencies in the field, a weakness which only a specialised anti-terrorist unit could possibly rectify.
Separate and distinct threats, the nexus between terrorism and organised crime now exists for mutual benefit. Terrorists are motivated by ideology and criminals by greed. Linkages include illegal trafficking of arms, drug and human beings as well as money-laundering. Terrorist groups need arms, money, forged documents, etc. Organized Crime need couriers who can smuggle drugs, arms and human beings across the countries and regions. Untangling the mix between organised crime and terrorist cells must become a part of NCTAs counter terrorism strategy.
The govt has correctly decided that NCTA must have a think tank. This proposed think tank must make, viz (1) Risk assessments and site vulnerability assessments (2) Crisis, disaster and emergency situation management (3) Develop and implementation of security strategy, policies and procedures and (4) Assessment of quality of current security services or mitigation measures, with their recommendations for improvement. Conferences and rhetoric thereof are only good if there is a genuine will to counter terrorism. NCTA must be given the funds and the tools to rid us of this grave menac
The will to counter terrorism
-------------------------
All in all an okay read, nothing that we don't know or haven't discussed before on this forum in official circles with colleagues, personally i think someone with a background like Mr. Sehgal, should not be writing about security and terrorism. For starters he is running the largest private security company in Pakistan, one that has had a bad record in recent months.
His magazine also stole Brasstacks Security report matrix in 2008, which further highlights the sham nature of his band of "professionals".
Furthermore he highlights that the NCTA should conduct Disaster Management/response assessments... I say no! That is a duplication of efforts, we already have the NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority, which fills that task perfectly.
And i am also very cautious of his recommendation for a "Think Tank", who will choose the members of this "Think Tank", if it will be anything like the selection for the NDC course then merit and ability can be thrown out of the window... For, it's not what you know, it's who you know...
Feel free to share your thoughts.
By Ikram Sehgal
As if to demonstrate how fragile the law and order situation in Pakistan has become, two suicide bombers blew themselves up on July 1 at the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore, one of Pakistans holiest shrines; 44 people died and over 180 were injured. Only a few weeks ago, brazen and dastardly attacks were carried out against two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore. The casualties were horrendous and displayed the mind-set of those who have no respect for places of worship or human lives.
Some of Pakistans major cities continue to be hit by an increasing number of suicide attacks and concerns for the countrys security have risen sharply. In recent years many new terrorist groups have emerged, several existing groups have reconstituted themselves, and a new crop of militants has emerged, more violent and less conducive to political solutions than their predecessors. Links between many of these new and existing groups have strengthened that has given rise to fresh concerns for stability. A failed bombing attempt in New Yorks Times Square in May 2010 with links to Pakistan signifies the growing ambitions of many of these groups that had previously focused only on the region. Since we now live in an inter-connected world, terrorism cannot be seen in isolation against one particular nation or facet of civilization.
Despite the colossal losses in both men and material that Pakistan has had to endure at the hands of militant groups, it is baffling that we still seem to be grappling with developing a capacity to counter terrorism and insurgency.
Early in 2009, the government had announced creation of the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NCTA). NCTA was tasked with developing a counterterrorism strategy and acting as the focal point for coordinating counterterrorism efforts. It was said that a special force of eighty thousand troops would be recruited for the authority with funding from Pakistans allies but that is still a rumour and not a reality.
While the mechanism is now in place NCTA has been only given lip-service and was mostly dormant till now. The government has now activated the NCTA after the Data Darbar atrocity.
Fortunately NCTA has capable professionals in its hierarchy. For NCTA to be able to achieve its given role, the services of only the very best professionals must be acquired without any political interference or manoeuvring, and it must be given the tools and funding necessary. If political compulsion comes into play, the NTCA will have no teeth to implement the strategy it devises.
In order to be successful against militants it is imperative that we first understand the difference between counterinsurgency and counterterrorism and then devise a strategy to tackle them. In plain terms, counterterrorism entails tactics where direct action is taken against terrorists i.e. the terrorist is attacked directly. In contrast counterinsurgency is a policy where terrorists and insurgents are denied the support they need to function such as hiding places, food, intelligence, funding, etc. The population is turned against terrorists or insurgents by gaining intelligence on their activities thereby enabling counter terrorist forces to engage them. The reason that a counterinsurgency campaign is so much more comprehensive than a counter-terror campaign is that it involves a civilian component to stabilise the government, institutions, and necessities of the populace.
This is where Pakistan seems to be lacking. The war Pakistan is fighting today simply cannot be won by killing the insurgents. We need to consolidate on gains that have been achieved through the blood of our valiant Shahuda (martyrs) who died at the hands of militants in the Counter-Insurgency Operations (COIN). Focus must be made upon dissuading potential insurgents and those who are recruiting, training and deploying them. Modern counterinsurgency doctrine rests on the truism that achieving lasting stability even in the face of an armed insurgent enemy depends primarily on non-military actions and tools: dispensing equitable justice, building viable political institutions, resuscitating the national infrastructure, spurring the local economy, creating effective police forces and most importantly, maintaining absolute credibility. The security provided by large military forces may be an ongoing, sustaining pre-condition for such results, but it cannot guarantee them. Unfortunately, the actions of military forces do run some risk of empowering the terrorists or insurgents by alienating the local population.
There is a dire need to have a separate force to deal with terrorists. If one looks at the western nations, almost each country that has encountered the menace of terrorism, has an independent Counter Terrorist Force (CTF) that is tasked with countering (and only countering) terrorism. Their services are not waylaid for other tasks. Frances National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) is considered to be one of the worlds busiest and best counter-terrorist units.
The same applies for the United Kingdoms Special Air Services (SAS) that deals with special operations and counter terrorism. For Pakistan there is no disputing the need to focus on improving the woefully inadequate intelligence gathering, investigative methods and skills of the law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Equally pressing is the need for better coordination and information sharing between the numerous intelligence agencies in the field, a weakness which only a specialised anti-terrorist unit could possibly rectify.
Separate and distinct threats, the nexus between terrorism and organised crime now exists for mutual benefit. Terrorists are motivated by ideology and criminals by greed. Linkages include illegal trafficking of arms, drug and human beings as well as money-laundering. Terrorist groups need arms, money, forged documents, etc. Organized Crime need couriers who can smuggle drugs, arms and human beings across the countries and regions. Untangling the mix between organised crime and terrorist cells must become a part of NCTAs counter terrorism strategy.
The govt has correctly decided that NCTA must have a think tank. This proposed think tank must make, viz (1) Risk assessments and site vulnerability assessments (2) Crisis, disaster and emergency situation management (3) Develop and implementation of security strategy, policies and procedures and (4) Assessment of quality of current security services or mitigation measures, with their recommendations for improvement. Conferences and rhetoric thereof are only good if there is a genuine will to counter terrorism. NCTA must be given the funds and the tools to rid us of this grave menac
The will to counter terrorism
-------------------------
All in all an okay read, nothing that we don't know or haven't discussed before on this forum in official circles with colleagues, personally i think someone with a background like Mr. Sehgal, should not be writing about security and terrorism. For starters he is running the largest private security company in Pakistan, one that has had a bad record in recent months.
His magazine also stole Brasstacks Security report matrix in 2008, which further highlights the sham nature of his band of "professionals".
Furthermore he highlights that the NCTA should conduct Disaster Management/response assessments... I say no! That is a duplication of efforts, we already have the NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority, which fills that task perfectly.
And i am also very cautious of his recommendation for a "Think Tank", who will choose the members of this "Think Tank", if it will be anything like the selection for the NDC course then merit and ability can be thrown out of the window... For, it's not what you know, it's who you know...
Feel free to share your thoughts.
