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Tackling terrorism in South Asia
THE world has recoiled with horror and anger after the militant attacks carried out in Mumbai. More than 190 were killed and over 400 wounded in the carnage. It was clear that meticulous planning and "international collaboration" were undertaken by the perpetrators prior to the incident. It also displayed severe lapses of Indian security agencies.
What made it unique were the frontal engagements lasting for more than three days, carried out by young men armed with sophisticated weapons. They were also immediately labelled as Islamist because they tried to single out Americans, British and the Israelis from the foreign community residing in Mumbai. Unfortunately, once again, Islam (which forbids the taking of innocent civilian lives), has come under scrutiny.
The last five years have seen the rise of militancy and terrorism throughout Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Recently, this phenomenon in the western part of South Asia has been interestingly termed as an "AfPak" problem by an American general. Thousands of people in this region have died and tens of thousand have become disabled. One such victim is Sheikh Hasina, former prime minister of Bangladesh.
India has been reeling from several deadly militant incidents since 2003. Mumbai itself has been repeatedly hit by severe militant attacks over the past 15 years, the worst of which targeted its suburban rail network and killed more than 180 commuters in July 2006.
Responsibility for some of these attacks has been claimed by so-called "home-grown Indian Islamic militant splinter groups" with names stressing their local origins "Indian Mujahedeen" and "Islamic Security Force-Indian Mujahedeen." After the Mumbai attack, a group called the "Deccan Mujahedeen" (ostensibly of Indian origin) claimed responsibility for it.
Most security and strategic analysts worldwide have, however, refused to buy this claim. They have termed it as a "red herring" meant to create confusion about the antecedents of the terrorist group and also to convey an impression that the terrorists were home-grown.
The Indian government also has not given credence to the claim. Islamabad has denied any involvement, but the Indian prime minister has alleged "external linkages" and the foreign minister has pointed out that there was prima facie evidence of the attackers having links with "elements" in Pakistan. Pakistan has also been asked to stop cross border terrorism and curb the activities of terrorist outfits like the Lashkar-e-Tayebba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Lashkar-e-Tayebba has, however, denied any role in the Mumbai attacks.
To say the least, this latest attack will be a severe setback for the democratically elected Pakistan government and its efforts to improve bilateral relations with India (which has included a Pakistani offer of "no first nuclear strike clause"). It will also be disappointing for the Pakistani policy makers who are themselves recovering from a massive terrorist attack carried out recently in Islamabad.
I had, in my article, The collection, sharing and protection of data, on May 31, stressed on the need for South Asian countries to replicate the efforts being undertaken in the European Union in this regard. In this context, it would be worthwhile for the South Asian countries to try and implement the decisions agreed to by heads of state or government during the Fifteenth Summit Meeting.
The paragraphs related to "Combating terrorism" are particularly significant. The leaders condemned all forms of terrorist violence and expressed deep concern over the serious threat posed by terrorism to peace, stability and security in the region. They also recognised the growing linkages between the phenomena of terrorism, illegal trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances and illegal trafficking of persons and firearms, and underscored the need to address the problem in a comprehensive manner. It was decided to strengthen the legal regime against terrorism through the implementation of all international conventions related to combating terrorism to which member states were parties. Special emphasis was also given to the operational functioning of the provisions outlined in the Saarc Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and the Additional Protocol to this Saarc Convention.
South Asian leaders have also agreed to abide by the contents of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) pertaining to restrictions on collection and acquisition of funds for the purpose of committing terrorist acts. In this regard, aware of the significance of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, they also urged an early conclusion of the Convention.
These are all positive areas of convergence and assume greater importance, given the already existing desire to have closer cooperation among the police forces of each country. To this has been added the finalisation of the text of the Saarc Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in General Matters.
The litmus test will now be how far and how meaningfully the intelligence organisations and law and order implementing agencies of Pakistan and India cooperate in not only identifying the perpetrators and their national backgrounds but also in the resolving of the post-crisis factors that have evolved out of the attacks in Mumbai. It will also be incumbent on the Bangladesh administration to extend all assistance, if asked.
It has been reassuring to be informed by our home secretary that "Bangladesh has no reason to be alarmed by the tragic incident in India," and that our government is being very vigilant. The red alert notification has been issued on our border along Benapole. This has been a good step.
We must not forget the impending parliamentary election at the end of December. Stability is absolutely important at this crucial time. We have to remember that we also have home-grown extremist groups who need to be monitored very closely. The recent discovery of grenade making materials and other lethal explosives from the hideout of an extremist organisation located in Dhaka was ominous, to say the least.
Consequently, it would be pertinent for our relevant authorities to review very cautiously the standard operating procedures related to security in all areas frequented by foreigners and other soft targets like shopping malls, bus stands, railway stations and airport terminals. It is better to be careful than to be sorry.
We must all understand that contingency planning for tomorrow starts from today. The South Asian response to the destabilising influence of such a terrorist act needs to be transparent, categorical and convincing.
Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador.
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