After the explosion in Delhi, questions are being raised on the functioning of the Special Branch. Security due to failure of intelligence system and failure of early warning system…read more
Mohammad Saqib, New Delhi. The explosion near the Red Fort in Old Delhi on November 10 has brought into question the functioning of the Special Branch, which is considered the pillar of internal security of Delhi Police. Questions are being raised as to why the Special Branch's Early Warning System is not able to detect the threat in time when its responsibility is also to monitor terrorism, communal tension, foreign elements and any VVIP security and internal police arrangements.
The current model is proving weak
In such a situation, repeated failures are giving rise to all kinds of apprehensions, which are being taken advantage of by terrorist conspiracy organizations. Many times its success also comes to the fore, but the explosion that broke the security cordon of the Red Fort shows that the existing model is now proving weak in comparison to the changing circumstances.
There is no separate LIU in Delhi.
There is no separate Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) in Delhi like other states. This is why the Special Branch is the primary source of ground input in the capital. According to experts, the field staff of the Special Branch are often given non-core tasks that have no connection with security, including personal 'spying' of officers, monitoring political contacts or keeping reports on the internal activities of police stations.
Actual security inputs are being left behind
This leaves the actual security inputs behind. In the case of Red Fort also, initial indications are that adequate ground feedback regarding regional sensitivities was not updated in time. Whereas in more than 100 semi-rural and rural zones of Delhi, the branch's hold is considered weak to moderate.
These include areas like Najafgarh, Kondli, Alipur, Karala, Kapashera and Bawana. The main reasons for this are rapidly changing population, expansion of illegal colonies, large-scale migrant workers from outside states, influence of factionalism and local politics, entry of people from border districts (Haryana, UP) without checking. It is from here that the transit routes of many suspects traveling to and from the capital are formed.
Digital activity is changing rapidly
Apart from this, the digital activity of the capital is changing rapidly. Suspects involved in terrorist incidents are constantly active on VPN-based chat channels, foreign apps and dark-web networks. It proves difficult to catch them because the digital analysis system of the Special Branch still runs on the old model.
Due to this, the initial activities of the sleeper cells are not detected. At the same time, source development, reporting, field surveillance and many other tasks are assigned to a single officer in the branch, due to which the level of professional intelligence falls. Even in high-value zones like the Red Fort, there were not enough intelligence-duty personnel deployed.
Need to prepare a new model
The Special Branch is a strong and historically effective intelligence unit, but its current structure is falling short of rapidly changing security needs. Cases like the blast are a warning that there is a need to create a new model by freeing the capital's ground intelligence from political influence, old working style and technological backwardness. The conspiracy for the terrorist blast outside the Red Fort was being hatched for a long time. In such a situation, questions are being raised on the working style of the Special Branch.
Major functions of Special Branch
Also read- Delhi Blast: Wanted to learn drone attack technique from Hamas, big revelation in NIA investigation
NIA action in Delhi blast case, raids at 22 locations in Bihar and Haryana
Delhi HC's important decision on the demand for monitoring of Delhi Blast case, said - how to monitor without trial?
Delhi blast case's main accused Jasir Bilal's custody period extended by seven more days
Delhi Blast: Special NIA court extended the custody of Aamir Rashid Ali by 7 days, he was arrested on 16 November.