The biggest concern for the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir this year is the data from last year on attacks involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), their seizures and their widespread use by terrorists. According to official figures, jihadis have started adopting the Naxal strategy of planting IEDs to target soldiers, especially after the 2019 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.
Government data shows that there has been an increase in IED attacks by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir along with an increase in seizures of equipment, disposal of IEDs by security forces and personnel killed in these explosive attacks. have appeared.
What is an IED?
IEDs are fabricated from several electrical components, including a switch, an initiator, a charge, a power source, and a container. The US Homeland Security states that IEDs may be surrounded or packaged with additional materials or ‘enhancements’, such as nails, glass, or pieces of metal designed to increase the amount of pellets induced by the explosion. Enhancements may also include other ingredients such as hazardous materials. An IED can be initiated in a variety of ways depending on the intended target.
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US Homeland Security also says that, because they are improvised, IEDs can come in many forms, from a small pipe bomb to a sophisticated device capable of causing massive damage and loss of life. The IED can be carried or transported in a vehicle; carried, placed or thrown by any person; Delivered in a package, or hidden on the side of the road. The term IED came into common use during the Iraq War that began in 2003 and lasted until 2011.
‘Greatest danger’
Former Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Inspector General (IG) MP Nathanael, who worked along the Naxal Red Corridor as well as in Jammu and Kashmir, says terrorists have learned from the Pulwama attack and from the Maoists who fought without causing much casualty. Has happened. Often successfully target the security forces. He told News18 that IEDs are the biggest threat to security forces as such explosive devices can be attached to cars, buses or anywhere else.
“IED is the main weapon of Naxalites to attack the security forces. It does not harm them because direct involvement is not required to trigger an IED attack. But in the last few months it has been found that terrorists are also using IEDs to target security forces in Kashmir, especially after the Pulwama attack. The terrorists found a new way to avoid casualties on their side. Instead of any fidayeen (suicidal) attack, now they are using IED. Even in the Pulwama attack, it took months for the investigative agencies to know who planted the IED (VBIED) from the vehicle. It is a dangerous weapon, which can be triggered without risking one’s own life.”
Adding to the threat from the IED is the fact that the Taliban, now controlling Afghanistan, will likely help Pakistan in disturbing the law and order situation in Kashmir.
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In 2020, only one incident of IED attack and blast by security forces was reported in J&K, which saw a huge jump in 2021. Last year, terrorists targeted security forces in the area with IEDs on an average once a month, according to government data. , A total of 12 incidents of such attacks were recorded.
Therefore, the casualties of security force personnel in encounters, hit-and-run attacks by terrorists, grenade attacks etc. have come down, but the casualties due to IED attacks have increased. The data also revealed that terrorists are using IEDs only to target security forces.
Officials say that Pakistan-based terrorist organizations are involved in sending material for IEDs through drones with the help of local grassroots activists. This resulted in the seizure of IEDs on a large scale by the security forces last year.
In 2021, the security forces defused 51 IEDs and explosive devices. This is about 34% more than in 2020 when they disabled 38 such devices.
In December last year, security forces gunned down an IED specialist who was behind the blast and grenade attacks on soldiers. Police also recovered five kg IED from him.
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Last year also saw a jump in seizures of IEDs by the security forces. In 2020, a total of 5 IEDs were recovered, but in 2021 the number increased to 16, of which 90% were from Kashmir.
Officials say the security forces are well aware of the threat and have started acquiring technology that can help counter it.
“We are aware of the increasing use of IEDs. We have specialized technology to help you detect and deactivate IEDs. However, identifying them at the right time is the biggest challenge,” a senior CRPF officer told News18.
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