Jul 22, 2011

Security Forces – Adopting New Tactics

            The security forces are increasingly adopting new tactics of carrying out operations for longer duration in the Naxal affected areas to winkle out the guerrillas. This was particularly evident in Jharkhand where a number of Naxal camps were raided and destroyed by the CRPF. In Jharkhand, two COBRA battalions have destroyed a series of guerrilla camps. 203 and 209 Battalion launched operations in West Singhbhum, Latehar, Lohardaga, Palamau, Chatra and Garhwa districts. Similarly Naxal camps were destroyed in the Saranda forest. The CRPF strategy now is to establish hubs in the Maoist infested areas for carrying out operations based on a training area, a COBRA or commando battalion and a normal police unit to meet the challenge.

            The Maoist tactical counter offensive in Chhattisgarh was also met with some stiff resistance. On 9 June Maoists attacked a newly opened police post in the Narayanpur-Orchha road overlooking a valley called Jhara Ghati. The guerrillas also used 2 inch mortars in these attacks. On 10 June the Naxals killed 10 security personnel in Dantewada using landmine on a bridge. On 11 June they again struck and killed three CRPF jawans in an attack in Bhejji village in South Dantewada. The CRPF patrol had gone to inspect a new barrack which is under construction at the site. On 13 June however the rebels found tough resistance at the same site and had to retreat even though a large force seems to have collected for the assault. On 20 June again two Maoist leaders were shot in a gun battle in the forest region of Bastar. The improved response by the security forces is encouraging.

A battalion or 1,000 men each of Assam and Bihar regiments has deployed in the Naxal infested Chhattisgarh zone.  An Army note dated June 7 said, "A brigade-sized force of the Army will soon commence training only in the Narayanpur district in June and July. The Army will exercise its soldiers in jungle warfare training and will not undertake any counter naxal operations." Three temporary camps have been established: two along the national highway, 8km short of Kondagaon, the third near Kevti village, off the state highway to Narayanpur. The army will be carrying out training operations in three districts.

"We have been permitted to use forest patches in three districts, Kanker, Bastar and Narayanpur, under condition that no permanent structures are created, no trees cut," said an officer.  Maoists resentful of army deployment have already issued a number of statements against these moves but it is evident that the central government will be going ahead with these plans with the first aim being to contain the spread of Naxal operations outside the forest areas where they have established strongholds.

Chhattisgarh government is also planning to raise a state industrial security force (SISF) to speed up infrastructure development works and provide cover to the industries in the insurgency-hit pockets. “Under the proposal that is under consideration, the state government will raise a battalion of state industrial security force comprising about 1000 jawans,” a top official in state’s home department told Business Standard.

Related Tags

• Security Forces
• Maoists
• SISF
• Jhara Ghati
• Naxals