Growing Terrorism in South Asia: Evolving Common Strategies

General
The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) organised a round table on “Growing Terrorism in South Asia: Evolving Common Strategies” on January 21, 2009, at CLAWS Conference Room, New Delhi. The round table was chaired by Lt Gen R K Sawhney (Retd) and attended by members of the strategic community and a delegation from Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies (BIPSS) led by Major General ANM Muniruzzaman, NDC, PSC (Retd) who is presently its President.

Chairperson: Lt Gen R K Sawhney (Retd)
General Sawhney emphasised that growing terrorism in South Asia is a dangerous tendency and can run riot in the region. In a multi-ethnic society, there is more freedom. India has always used the force in a way so that people are least antagonised. Since the major part of the sub-continent is ruled by democratic dispensations, regional initiative is both required and possible. He warned the neighbouring countries that it takes a lot of effort to make India angry. But anger should not cross the point from where India starts behaving irrationally. If it happens, it will be detrimental to the region.

The recent political change in Bangladesh under the newly elected government led by Begum Sheikh Hasina has opened the doors of hope for the country as well as the region. Given the fact that several weaknesses remain inherent in the democratic system, tackling terrorism in multi-ethnic societies and the democracies has remained a daunting task. In order to check terrorism, decisive action is required. There is an urgent need for cooperative effort, therefore, no counter-terrorism approach can be unilateral. Inter-state cooperation to deal with terrorism has to start straight away without any more delay. There is an urgent need to think big and show results. Our experiences of the joint terror mechanism have not paid dividends, therefore, we should give serious thought to promoting cooperation at different levels. In order to have a joint counter-terrorism mechanism, it becomes more important to know the approach of Bangladesh towards the problem.

Major General ANM Muniruzzaman NDC, PSC (Retd):
Gen Muniruzzaman said that terrorism can destabilise the peace and security of the region. That’s why we have to think beyond our boundaries to look for the solution. Bangladesh like India is a victim of terrorism. A few years back Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) had launched series of terrorist attacks by conducting 487 bomb blasts in 63 out of 64 districts across the country within half an hour. The bomb blasts proved the capabilities of the terrorist organisation.

The stated policy of Bangladesh is not to tolerate terrorism be it of any form. That’s why most of the culprits were caught and executed in accordance with the law of the land. This stringent action of the government against the terrorists remained instrumental in checking the activities of the group. The recent intelligence analysis has shown that the group is once again organising its cadre and expanding its base in a different manner. But now the JMB is emerging with a number of splinter groups.

Unlike the JMB, the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B) has regional foot prints. HuJI is the only group having capacity to link up with groups in India and Pakistan. It also has connections with Al Qaeda and Osama-bin-laden. HuJI is prepared to carryout operations anywhere and anytime. There are a number of religious and leftist terrorist groups capable of operating within Bangladesh. This has resulted because of the radicalisation of the society. Bangladesh society is under transition and is also under the tremendous pressure from radical groups. This helps fringe elements to carry out terrorist attacks and to survive in the society. Terror attacks on India have Bangladesh links. It is extremely important to know about their coordination styles and how these groups launch joint operations across the borders.

There is an urgent need to see beyond religious terrorism as other forms of terrorism also pose serious threats. A lot remained to be learned about the terrorists groups, before creating an effective counter-terror mechanism. The growing capacity of the Maoists and expanding red corridor have become a cause of concern and demands immediate attention. Their larger plan includes covering entire Nepal and large parts of India and Bangladesh. Quoting the example of LTTE, he said that it has the largest running organisation and promoted ethno-terrorism, suicide attacks and now it is considering new dimensions of terrorism.

The new Prime Minister of Bangladesh has suggested the creation of South Asia counter-terrorism force. However, distrust among the states in South Asia prevents such initiative from taking off. Hence, the most important thing is to build trust. Gen Muniruzzaman suggested considering ASEAN counter-terrorism model which is more practical and includes intelligence sharing, training of elite forces and so on. Long term sustainability of the counter-terrorism strategies should be taken into account while framing policies. It is important to look into the cost-benefit ratio which is overwhelming in favour of terrorist groups. Citing 26/11 attacks, the speaker observed that if 10 people can take the countries to the extent where even war cannot be ruled out, then it means that they have achieved more than what they actually thought of.  Being critical of the role of media during and post- 26/11 terrorist attacks, he emphasised that in countering terrorism both society and media play significant roles.

Discussion

• In order to flourish, terrorism needs certain amount of state support. Terrorism is also employed by mafia groups.
• We still have to evolve mechanism and deterrence against terrorism. Counter terrorism mechanism has to be realised in the region first and then it can be extended globally. Follow the path of restraint by using pressure tactics.
• The option of hitting terrorists’ breeding and training grounds inside Pakistan can also be explored.
• A lot more is needed to be done in combating terrorism the region using South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Bangladesh government is keen on enhancing the country’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
• One of the ways of keeping check on the member states can be peer group pressure which can be gradually graded and graduated. Member states can also think of sanctions against the violating member.
• All the counter-terrorism actions should include only political and civilised means.
• Fundamentalism is taking roots in once religiously liberal Bangladesh. Media does not enjoy much freedom in Bangladesh which is not a healthy sign for any democracy.
• Illegal Migration from Bangladesh is one of the greatest concerns and requires a permanent solution like working visas and permits for the migrant workers so that they can go back after their work is over.
• The South Asia Regional Research Forum constituted of one think tank from each member state of SAARC can be useful to study and discuss terrorism and other related problems for the overall security of the region.
• The present counterterrorism strategies of all the countries in the region are inefficient.
• Without introducing positive changes, like counter-radicalisation of the society, aimed at solving the socio-economic problems, terrorism will always persist.
• Multi-platforms dialogue and discussions are needed to address the issues related to terrorism.
• Due to the lack of information at this front, long term counter-terrorism strategies have remained ineffective.
• The BIPSS is trying to do a detailed study of profiles of terrorist groups and their leaders which can be shared with the sister organisations in other countries.
• There is an immense need of expanding South Asia regional framework and also to look at internal dimension of terrorism.
• Media is getting uncontrollable and should behave responsibly. Media has to be reined in, media cannot reign. A significant check can be put on media through bodies like Press Council of India which used to exercise self imposed restraint. At the same time, media is required and cannot be wished away.

Brig Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd)
India is an Island of calm surrounded by the sea of instability. Pakistan is the biggest problem and is unable and unwilling to curb terrorism. Military option should have been exercised in a controlled manner after the Mumbai attacks. Terrorism generated, supported and spread from the Bangladeshi soil poses another grave challenge to the Indian security. It cannot be denied that the ULFA is sheltered inside Bangladesh despite the state being against all such activities. India is left with few options but if India strikes, relations will worsen. Media was not completely irresponsible but was certainly less than responsible by telecasting operational details which helped the terrorists to prolong the duration of their attacks even when they were holed up. Free media is a solid pillar of democracy and should be encouraged.

Conclusion
The existing counter-terrorism mechanisms, be it at national level or regional level are inadequate and must be strengthened. Regional platform to discuss and develop comprehensive counterterrorism approach is the need of the hour. Think tanks like BIPSS and CLAWS have the potential to coordinate, develop and recommend policies which can be instrumental in the evolution of effective counter-terrorism strategies.

Report compiled by Dr Rajesh Kapoor, Associate Fellow, CLAWS