BSF Jawans Seize Three Tiffin Bombs

KORAPUT: In yet another arms recovery, BSF jawans seized explosives in Lamataput area doing a combing operation on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of Maoists, BSF jawans started combing operation in Machkund project road and found three tiffin bombs and two remote control devices kept in a gorge.

It was second recovery of explosives during past two weeks in the same areas.

The explosives were targeted to attack the BSF jawans engaged in combing operation.

BSF sources said the combing operation has been intensified anticipating more explosives in the area.

BSF had recovered huge quantity of explosives from the Lamtaput area recently.

Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/BSF-Jawans-Seize-Three-Tiffin-Bombs/2014/05/20/article2234363.ece

Call for reshuffling of force deployment

The pattern of India’s internal security challenges has undergone a significant makeover in recent years. Chronic conflicts have either subsided or have hit a low patch and new conflict areas have emerged, necessitating a rationalisation in the way the Government deploys its security forces. But it would appear that our security policy-makers are stuck in time, steadfastly refusing to respond to the unfolding conflict dynamics. This explains, in a way, why the country, with a bourgeoning security force establishment, still struggles to find adequate forces to fight its internal wars.

There is a clear shift of violence from the age-old conflict theatres in Kashmir and the north-east, to the states affected by Left-wing extremism. Deployment of reshuffling of force Central Armed Police Forces or CAPFs (previously called Central para-military forces) has gone up from 37 to 81 battalions in the Maoist theatres. It is a substantial increase, yet remains insufficient. It is unlikely that even with a war time raising of CAPF battalions, the Centre will be able to meet the unending demands from the states. This calls for a fresh approach on the deployment of forces.

Not many would agree that the current Indo-Pakistan peace talks would ever reach a situation as to allow New Delhi to pull out some of its troops from Kashmir. Hypothetically speaking, such an eventuality would come as a boon for the force-starved Maoist theatres. Kashmir today engages close to 80 battalions of Central police forces and 65 battalions of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of the Indian Army. 50 per cent of the RR is sourced from the army’s infantry wing and the rest from other units, making it almost an ideal force against the Maoists.

Opposition from the Indian Army and the counter-terrorism experts notwithstanding, army’s role in dealing with Left-wing extremism has grown over the years. According to a recent white paper prepared by the Indian Army, 65,000 of its personnel would be required if it is to be involved against the Maoists. It is even willing to consider the relocation of the RR battalions for the purpose. This, however, is conditioned by sufficient progress in the Indo-Pak peace process and a total halt to the cross-border infiltration and militancy. Not many would see this happening in the near future, even when the Pakistan state is undergoing a life-threatening crisis.

From where a realistic relocation of forces is possible, is the north-east. Although this restive region of the country has not exactly become a peace den, over the past years insurgency movements have constantly lost their wherewithal, popular appeal and hence, have struggled to survive. Cooperation from Bangladesh has forced the once powerful Assam-based Ulfa to start a process of dialogue with the government. Even in Manipur, where insurgency movements appeared almost intractable a few years back, over a dozen outfits are under Suspension of Operations agreement with the government. The most lethal UNLF has suffered a serious blow in the form of the arrest of its top leader R K Meghen. Since 2008, the entire north-eastern region has seen a gradual but consistent improvement in the security situation, demonstrated in the declining capacity of the militant formations. Compared to over 1,000 fatalities recorded in 2008, insurgency related deaths fell to 322 in 2010 and further to 177 in the first eight months of 2011.

If rising violence was the raison d’etre for induction of Central forces into the north-east, it is necessary that the drop in violence allows their return from the area. It not only helps remove the tag of ‘militarisation of the north-east’, allowing the state police forces to take a lead  role in dealing with the remnants of insurgency, but also makes those withdrawn forces, at least the CAPFs, available for the Maoist-affected areas. There is no reason why a state like Manipur should continue to consume over 45 to 50 battalions of the army and the CAPFs, when it records barely 10 deaths per month for the past two years. Civilian life in Manipur continues to be affected by recurrent political blockades, but these are not exactly the problems that Central forces should be dealing with. Home Minister P Chidambaram’s recent justification that a large presence of security forces in the north-eastern states is “a necessity to deal with the threat of violence and the cases of extortion” isn't a really a valid rationale.

The reality of conflict transformation needs to figure prominently in MHA’s policies as far as force deployment is concerned and stubbornness not to accept it is not going to help.

By Bibhu Prasad Routray in www.claws.in

CRPF seizes 400 kg IEDs from poll-bound Maoist zone

Security forces seized about 400 kg explosives in the form of IEDs from Maoist-hit districts across four states where polling was held on Thursday. However, at Bihar's Munger Maoists exploded landmines killing two CRPF men who were part of a team escorting an election officials on way to polling booths.

The biggest recovery was from Bihar where the CRPF, nodal agency for force movement deployment in 2014 elections, seized 225 kg IEDs —135 kg from Gaya and 90 kg from Aurangabad. Besides, about 90 kg explosives were found from Bastar in south Chhattisgarh, about 52kg from Jharkhand and about 20 kg from Odisha, said Zulfiquar Hasan, CRPF IG (operations), who is EC-appointed chief force coordinator.

At Bhimbandh in Munger though a CRPF team was attacked by Maoists. Around 2.30 am, the CRPF team walked about 12 km on mud road before they could take a vehicle. Around 4.30 am, Maoists ambushed the CRPF vehicle. Two CRPF men were killed in landmine blasts followed by a 30-minute gunbattle.

"After the encounter, the CRPF team escorted the polling party to the booths and polling began on time," said Hasan.

This is the same area where Munger SP K C Surendra Babu was ambushed and killed by Maoists in 2005.

In Chhattisgarh's Sukma, part of Bastar parliamentary constituency, three CRPF men were killed in an encounter when Maoists fired at a CRPF team escorting election officials. Three CRPF men were injured in the gunbattle, but polling was held despite boycott call by Maoists. At the end of the day, polling percentage in Bastar was 51.49%. In 2009 LS polls, this was 47.33%.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Home/Lok-Sabha-Elections-2014/News/CRPF-seizes-400-kg-IEDs-from-poll-bound-Maoist-zone/articleshow/33576202.cms

Two CRPF jawans killed in Bihar on polling day

Two CRPF jawans were killed and three others injured when Maoists triggered an explosive, when they were on way to a polling station in Jamui parliamentary constituency of Bihar early morning, police said.

CRPF and Bihar Police team were travelling in two jeeps when the Maoists triggered an IED planted under the bridge they were crossing, near Sawa Lakh Baba Mandir at the entrance of Bhimbandh jungle, DSP Khargpur Ranjan Kumar said.

The two CRPF jawans succumbed to their injuries on way to a hospital while the three other injured were taken to the Sadar Hospital in Munger district, about 170 km from State capital Patna.

The incident took place at around 5:30 a.m., one and a half hour before the start of polling in Jamui (SC, reserved) constituency.

LJP President Ram Vilas Paswan’s son Chirag Paswan is in the fray from the Jamui parliamentary constituency against Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary of JD (U) and Sudhanshu Shekhar Bhaskar of RJD.

Six parliamentary constituencies of Bihar, including Jamui are going to polls in the first phase of the elections in the State on Thursday.

All six constituencies — Jamui, Aurangabad, Sasaram, Gaya, Nawada and Karakat — are located in the Naxal-affected areas in the State.

Maoists had earlier given a call for a poll boycott.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/two-crpf-jawans-killed-in-bihar-on-polling-day/article5894669.ece

Narrow escape for BSF personnel as Maoists trigger IED blasts

MALKANGIRI, Odisha: A group of BSF personnel had a narrow escape when two explosive devices planted by Maoists went off in Kalimela area of Malkangiri district in Odisha on Sunday.

The explosions took place within a short interval when the BSF personnel had gone to the area near MPV-31 village to remove posters and banners put up by Maoists asking people to boycott the ensuing polls, Malkangiri superintendent of police Akhileswar Singh said.

The blasts took place minutes after the BSF party had completed its operation and was leaving the site, police said.

While no BSF personnel was hurt in the incident, two cows were killed as the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) went off when they apparently stepped over them, Singh said.

A police force was sent to the area after the incident and security personnel were maintaining a strict vigil.

The incident is being viewed as a move by the Maoists to disrupt the poll process.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Narrow-escape-for-BSF-personnel-as-Maoists-trigger-IED-blasts/articleshow/33335214.cms

Cash rewards to fight rebels

Police have announced cash rewards for villagers if they come forward with information regarding Maoists and help security forces thwart any subversive design of rebels in the run-up to the general elections.

Jharkhand additional director-general of police (ADG), special branch, Rezi Dungdung, in his letter sent yesterday to superintendent of police (SP) Jitendra Singh, said cooperation of rural masses was very important in the fight against Naxalites and thus cash rewards must be given to villagers to encourage them to come forward to help police.

Police sources said an informer would receive a cash reward of Rs 40,000 if his or her tip-off led to seizure of explosives weighing over 11kg. A tip-off about 6-10kg explosives will fetch Rs 25,000 and 5kg will yield Rs 10,000.

Similarly, a villager may earn Rs 10,000-25,000 for providing information about AK-47, AK-57, light machine gun and other automatic weapons.

“In remote areas, every villager knows each other by face. So, the residents can easily spot a new face in the area,” said a senior police officer, adding villagers could easily sniff any Maoist activity in their area.

Moreover, he said, paramilitary personnel were outsiders and they did not have minute knowledge of the topography of these difficult terrains. “So local villagers play a crucial role in anti-rebel operations,” he argued.

Stressing on better relation with the rural masses, the ADG also directed the Bokaro police to ensure informers’ identities were strictly protected.

“Several police informers were killed because police couldn’t protect their identities. As a result, villagers often shy away from passing on any tip-off to police,” said another senior officer.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the Bokaro SP said he had received the ADG’s directive and started working on the mission.

“Villagers will be given cash rewards immediately. We are on this job very seriously,” he said.

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140404/jsp/jharkhand/story_18153236.jsp#.Uz42S9ySyz4

Landmines found in Jangalmahal ahead of CM meet

The CRPF, meanwhile, recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the house of Badal Hembram, a suspected Maoist who is absconding, at Porihati Sagori village in Jamboni. A .303 rifle, two country-made revolvers, hand bombs, two batteries, one kilogram of explosives and some electric wire were recovered by joint forces during the raid at Hembram's house.

The raid came after CRPF arrested another suspected Maoist Jogen Tutu, 28, in the early hours of Tuesday. A resident of Joram village in Belpahari, Jogen was arrested from Siarbrinda in Binpur. The CRPF recovered Jogen's mobile from him which had Hembram's number on the contact list. On going through the list further, CRPF found names of people in different parts of Jangalmahal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, all areas where Maoists are active. During interrogation, Jogen admitted Hembram was engaged in stockpiling arms. On cross-checking with their wanted list, CRPF realized Hembram was an absconding Maoist suspect. Jogen also confessed during interrogation that he kept an eye on the CRPF camp at Binpur and had shifted to the area from his Belpahari home for the purpose.

CRPF IG Jibesh Sahai said the force was intensifying its operations in Jangalmahal alongside Bengal police ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. "I myself visited three CRPF camps in Lalgarh today," the IG said.

Source: The Times of India 26 March, 2014

Maoists ambush CRPF in Jhumra

Maoists opened fire on a CRPF patrol party in Jhumra, 80km from Bokaro steel city, triggering an hour-long gun battle on Tuesday morning.

No casualty was reported from either side.

Around 11am, the rebels launched the surprise attack on over a dozen CRPF jawans of the 26th battalion during a regular drive at Tuti Jharna-Kashitand in Gomia block near Lugu Pahadi. The CRPF jawans retaliated strongly.

Even as the exchange of fire continued, a large contingent of security forces, comprising 100 district police personnel and three dozens CRPF jawans, were sent to the spot.

The reinforcements, led by Bokaro SP Jitendra Singh and DSP Manoj Kumar Rai, soon besieged the entire area, forcing the rebels to retreat.

The gunfight came to a halt around noon.

Consequently, the security forces launched a massive search operation that continued till reports last came in.

“CRPF men were on a regular drive when Maoists targeted them. They gave a strong reply. Over a dozen rounds of bullets were fired from each side,” North Chotanagpur IG Laxman Singh said.

He added that a search operation was still on and it was not clear yet if anyone on rebels’ side was injured or killed during the encounter.

The security forces have been carrying out regular operations in Bermo sub-division following intelligence inputs about Maoists sneaking into Gomia and Nawadih blocks to disturb the polls.

In fact, the administration has adopted a two-pronged strategy to keep Maoists in these two worst Naxalite-affected blocks in Bokaro.

On the one hand, police and CRPF have stepped up anti-rebel operations and deployed large contingents of personnel at all strategic entry and exit points, security men are trying hard to consolidate their relation with local villagers with the help of Civic Action Plan (CAP).

The CRPF and police are frequently distributing goodies under the CAP among villagers to win their confidence and prevent them from getting influenced by extremists.

Sources said such initiatives were taken in the past too, but in view of the elections, the administration were holding CAP programmes quite regularly now.

Under a similar initiative, the CRPF with the help of the district administration distributed blankets, shawls, mosquito nets, medicines, containers, saris, books and sports items at Potso, Barai, Bhalmara and Kharpito villages in Nawadih yesterday.

According to CRPF sources, around 100 women were given saris, while overt 100 old people were provided blankets.

These apart, cricket bats, balls, footballs, books and exercise books were distributed among around 50 children. Over 150 villagers were given free health check-up.

Speaking to The Telegraph, CRPF commandant of 26th battalion Sanjay Kumar urged villagers to come out and vote without fear. “People should use their rights because security forces are there for their protection,” he said.

Source: The Telegraph 26 March, 2014

DC Pathak on effective ways to counter Naxals

The massive attack by armed Naxalites on a road opening contingent of the CRPF in the Maoist belt of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, resulting in the death of fifteen of the paramilitary personnel and looting of over a dozen automatic rifles, draws attention to the fact that for nearly two decades now, the handling of this prime challenge to national security had not yielded lasting results.

Serious Challenge

An intelligence alert about the organised movement of Maoist cadres from Odisha to this area also did not help. The event raises questions on the strategy and policy response that the Centre and state governments had adopted in dealing with the escalating threat of Naxalism in a vast area spread across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha.

It is instructive to recall that it was in the mid- Nineties that the Indian intelligence had unearthed the plan of the then underground Naxalite leadership to operationally unite the Maoist Communist Centre(MCC)of Bihar and the People's War Group (PWG) of Andhra Pradesh by utilising the intervening Dandakaranya forest belt as the corridor. The ambitious plan even envisaged the spread of the movement to the North- East where it would seek linkage with left-of-the-centre insurgent groups active in the region. In spite of the initial success of the Andhra Pradesh police in combating the movement militarily, Naxalism steadily traversed the map of India and became a trans-national threat. Today, Naxals are posing a serious challenge to our paramilitary forces in the forest and hilly terrain of thousands of kilometres in the hinterland of India.

Originating in West Bengal in the late Sixties, Naxalism went through an uncertain period of advocacy of the Maoist doctrine of 'power coming through the barrel of the gun' before it gained ascendancy in the Nineties and rapidly spread to new areas on the strength of its underground organisational planning, rising number of trained cadres, and acquisition of arms and explosives.

Built on the combination of an ideological pull, the atmospherics of disgruntlement prevailing in the remote interiors of India particularly in the tribal belts and the unfortunate "withdrawal" of local administration in the affected areas on the first appearance of the gunmen, the Maoist movement has succeeded in establishing a "parallel government" in certain pockets of the country.

Joint Strategy

What has come in the way of a sustainable strategy being developed against "the biggest threat to national security" - as the Prime Minister described it more than once - is the unwillingness of the political leadership to accept that while police and law and order are in the domain of the state, dealing with issues of national security requires a joint strategy between the Centre and the states. In handling cross border terrorism, the Centre has to be the lead player but the fight against Naxalism - still a largely indigenous challenge - has to be led by the states. Unlike terrorism, the Maoist threat requires an "area" domination and the emphasis on "intelligence from below." The Centre's role is to make paramilitary forces in adequate strength available to the state in conducting area- specific operations, share such intelligence about the plans and movement of the armed Naxalites, as the national agencies are able to lay their hands on, and not let any politically motivated blame game overshadow the lessons that must be drawn from an incident of the kind that occurred in Sukma district.

For far too long has the threat of Naxalism been looked upon as a mere police problem. The present dimension of Maoist insurgency has called for an effective "combat" strategy in which any contingent in the lead will be backed by stronger formations covering the flanks and the entire operation would be directed by a designated senior officer in the field. Sending out a 'road opening patrol' of a dozen of men -who were left on a limb, was repeated in Sukma as no lessons were apparently drawn from what had happened earlier in this area.

External Threat

The Maoist cadres use a 'war' strategy under the guidance of the Central Military Commission of the organisation in planning their offensive based on their own information. The counterinsurgency response, on the other hand, hardly has a blueprint defining the area of operation, the command structure and the plan of securing area domination. Our counterinsurgency drive should have the benefit of aerial surveillance to locate the moving formations of Naxalites. The police leadership of the state must lead from the front as otherwise there will be a demoralising loss of personnel or a wild resort to force of the kind that will cause avoidable collateral damage. The strategy should be to create an effective island of peace so that development activity can be conducted there without hindrance.

In a welcome correction of policy, the Centre has accepted the view that Naxalism required handling of the security development interface and is not merely a police response. Funding for development is being enhanced in the affected areas through the Planning Commission. In the security- development paradigm, security comes first sequentially and it can be achieved through time- bound and area specific 'combat' operations. In the cleaned up territory, peace must be held long enough to complete the development objectives. The entire energy of the state government will have to be devoted to this large mission. This is a tall order considering the current state of Centre- state relationships in our country but there is no short cut to this. The challenge will multiply if our adversaries decide to provide an external input to what is still by and large an internal danger.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau)

Source: indiatoday.intoday.in 22 March, 2014

Security forces arrest 11 Maoists in Chhattisgarh

Eleven suspected Maoists, including six women, were apprehended by security forces from the jungles of Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh.

Officials said that a joint squad of paramilitary CRPF and State police apprehended the Maoist during a combing operation in Lahsunpath forest of Kushmi area in Sarguja division of the State.

Two Maoists arrested in connection with Chhattisgarh Congress convoy attack.

“Eleven Maoists including six women have been handed over to the local police after they were held from the jungles,” they said.

“One .315 bore gun, a pistol and two detonators along with some other explosive material have been seized from the squad,” they said.

The suspected Maoists are being interrogated, they said.

Maoist arrested in Chhattisgarh.

The Sarjuga-Ambikapur belt in northern part of Chhattisgarh is not an active Maoist hotbed compared to the southern parts of Bastar and this is after a longtime that Maoists have been apprehended in these areas, they said.

Source: NitiCentral 15 March, 2014