NEW DELHI: The first inputs on intrusion by Pakistani soldiers dressed as mujahideen in Kargil in 1999 were provided to the Army by the local shepherds. India went on to win the costly war, but it stressed the dire need to cultivate people staying along the border and inculcate in them the strategic spirit to ward off any future intrusions. The arrival of Mumbai attackers through the sea route in 2008 further re-enforced this crucial aspect.
Now, the RSS wants to lend a helping hand through its many affiliated bodies who could work among different communities and areas, and even create a network of like-minded “nationalist forces” which may include think-tanks, individuals and organisations to work on integrated security.
During the Samanvyay Baithak between the BJP and its ideological fountain head Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), held in September 2015, the issue of internal security generated most interest. RSS leaders expressed concerns that country’s security cannot be handled entirely by the Armed forces alone, unless there was involvement of local communities and groups who could be used for protecting the country’s borders.
A source said the discussions took place in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who agreed with the idea that nationalist organisations could work in the field of national security to help the Armed forces. After preliminary discussions, it was decided that a blueprint on how the RSS affiliates or the Sangh-inclined think tanks could help would be prepared for which some experts may be deputed.
Citing the Kargil example, the RSS source said it was a local shepherd who alerted the Army, so the need of creating local assets and human intelligence is urgent. “We have a huge coast line (7,000 kilometre long) and a number of islands in the Indian Ocean. There is a need engage with fishermen so that they can spot and report if they view anything suspicious,” the source said.
Security experts say the Western coastline shared with Pakistan is the most vulnerable spot, as incidents such as the 26/11 attack and the recent ‘terror’ boat which blew itself off the coast of Porbandar, underscore the need for such an exercise.
An RSS-inclined think-tank, which has a large network of retired Army officers and ex-intelligence officers on board, would soon bring out a study paper on how to go about this plan. Many of the Sangh-leaning think tanks such as India Foundation and FINS (Forum for Integrated National Security) have been holding security conference to generate ideas and engage with likeminded foreign leaders.
While human intelligence is the traditional and trusted form of gathering information crucial for national security, the plan would not be just limited to that.
“Indian agencies still do not have pro-active or aggressive policy in tackling cyber attacks. Countries like China deploy a huge army of hackers who help in furthering their country’s strategic interests. In India, also we need to create a network of hackers who may not actually work for the government but still can be of immense help to country by taking on the enemies,” the source said.