New Delhi: RS Mooshahary, ex-Governor, Meghalaya and ex-DG, NSG and BSF addressed at the 16th International Seminar on 'Counter IED Strategy' here today.
In his key note address, he said that NSG is not the first responder in case of an IED explosion, but NSG is the professional responder. The first responder looks up to NSG, he added. He said that the NSG is doing a wonderful work.
R S Mooshahary said that procuring material for IEDs is no longer a difficult task. He said that it is sometimes very difficult to detect these devices. Its use is not limited to terrorists these days, even protestors are also using these devices, he said.
He also said that some of the old mechanisms may not be able to detect the new generation devices and there is no fit-for-all situation, he added.
He said that technology in the hands of revengeful hearts can be used for mass destruction. He appreciated NSG for its efforts and said that NSG has made the nation proud.
In his welcome address, RC Tayal, DG, NSG said that IEDs are a deadly mixture of chemicals that can be assembled in many ways.
He said that it is very easy to access this material and it is a very low risk and low cost venture for the terrorists. It is a deadly weapon that can cause huge damage to life and property. He said that we need to work in the direction of making it very high risk venture for the terrorists and organised criminals.
IEDs are one of the most accessible material globally used to destroy critical infrastructure, he added. Because of this not only the civilian lives are lost, but security forces are also facing casualties.
He said that in the year 2015, 268 incidents of IED blasts have taken place, which resulted in 117 casualties. He said that number of casualties could be curtailed primarily because of the proactive measures which intelligence agencies have taken to prevent some of the major incidents.
He emphasised that a comprehensive approach is needed to tackle this most serious threat. Our procedures should aim at prevention, detention, effective neutralisation and mitigation of consequences in case any incident has taken place.
RC Tayal said that there is a sound policing system in India. If police stations are alert, they can play a crucial role in preventing such incidents, he said.
He said that cooperation and information sharing between the friendly countries is very important to tackle such incidents.
On the occasion, the Chief Guest RS Mooshahary also unveiled ‘Bomb Shell’ Magazine, 2016 which contains details of various IED explosions that occurred in various parts of the world in the year 2015 besides articles by several experts. After the release of the magazine, media interaction with the experts was also held.
The two-day seminar is a platform to the national and international experts of police and armed forces/law enforcement/ security/ intelligence/forensic agencies and other allied organizations for exchange of expertise, ideas and experiences.
This year, besides delegates from leading security agencies of India, experts from the US, Israel, France, Germany, Spain, Australia, Canada, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Philippines and Vietnam are also attending the seminar.
On the first day of the seminar held yesterday, the delegates witnessed a demonstration of Post Blast Operations & Analysis, case studies & analysis of counter-terrorism strategy besides a visit to the National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) located at NSG Campus, Manesar, Gurgaon.
