Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Indian Context

[cobra commando]

It is now apparent that the maoists are increasingly dependent on IEDs to further their asymmetric war on the Indian State. In fact, given that India's paramilitary forces seem to be getting their act together on firepower, jungle warfare training and patrolling, contact battles are no longer the best option for relatively lightly equipped maoist cadre. Instead, remotely triggered IEDs of increasing sophistication and explosive power represent for the maoists a far superior proposition in the risk-return space. Concomitantly, Indian security forces need to focus their energies on directly countering the proliferating use of IEDs by the Reds. However any strategy to neutralize the IED threat has to look beyond mere technological solutions and actually needs the elevation of counter-IED methods to the level of a strategic culture within the State security forces. One of the painful lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan learnt by United States (US) forces deployed in those countries was that insurgents quickly switched to IED driven tactics to cause disproportionate casualties rather than engage in too many direct fire fights, just like the experience with maoists here in India. As such the Pentagon set up the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) to specifically redress the imbalance on the IED side of things. The idea of setting up a single organization to accomplish this seemed attractive enough - JIEDDO would help pool together a range of ideas under a single umbrella, oversee consolidated research into this critical area as well as procure necessary equipment by eliminating unnecessary duplication of expenditure. Accordingly, JIEDDO's mission comprises of three vectors: 'Attack the Network', 'Defeat the Device', and 'Train the Force'.


Read more here:
Saurav Jha's Blog : Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Indian Context

 

[TrueSpirit1]

Re: Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Indian Conte

Great share @cobra commando

 

[Bhadra]

Re: Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Indian Conte

@cobracommando

That is all theory and armchair intellectualism....

Suggest some concrete measures...

 

[Energon]

Re: Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Indian Conte

IEDs are merely a weapon of choice used in asymmetrical warfare. The management of insurgencies is unique to each individual conflict. Hence I see very little value in grouping India's insurgency with disparate conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. The solution to India's Maoist insurgency is almost entirely political in nature.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Re: Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Indian Conte

The Pentagon's counter-IED organization will shrink nearly 90 percent in the coming years from its peak strength in 2010 but expand its missions, according to US Defense Department documents.

In one of his final decisions as deputy defense secretary, Ashton Carter, who left the Pentagon on Wednesday, said the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) should sustain its ability to support US forces in Afghanistan and the evolving counter-IED requirements around the world.

The personnel cuts will come over the next four years, shrinking JIEDDO down to a "base capacity level" of about 400 people in 2017. At its peak in April 2010, the organization had more than 3,900 people.

In a Nov. 26 memo, Carter approved JIEDDO's plans to reduce the organization to 975 people in the 2015 to 2016 time frame.

JIEDDO to Shrink, but Expand Mission | Defense News | defensenews.com

 

[Singh]

Re: Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Indian Conte

IEDs are merely a weapon of choice used in asymmetrical warfare. The management of insurgencies is unique to each individual conflict. Hence I see very little value in grouping India's insurgency with disparate conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. The solution to India's Maoist insurgency is almost entirely political in nature.

I would like to go on a bit of an esoteric rant here.

The fear of retribution is a very basic human trait. No wonder the Jews and Indians both have punishment as a way of dealing with issues.

Indian state so far had been very wary of using (excessive) force against Maoists. Op Greenhunt showed that using military might works.

The next strategy should be to use carrot and stick policy. Placate those willing to enter political negotiations, disproportionate force against those not willing to yield.

 

[Energon]

Re: Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Indian Conte

I don't know enough details about the Maoist conflict in India to make intelligent commentary about how to resolve the issue. But what I have noticed is that globalization, and in particular instant communication and mass media has radically altered the nature of conflicts within societies. If there is a lesson to take from Iraq and Afghanistan it's not about IEDs but rather the realization that globalization is NOT exemplified by using excessive force to assume control of previously inaccessible lands and their natural resources, and then building KFCs and McDonalds to entice the natives into getting with the program.
It appears that one of the greatest challenges of the century for state establishments will be devising communication strategies to negotiate with belligerent disenfranchised peoples who have a long history of being oppressed. And the bones of contention will be natural resources, access to tools of upward mobility and (in the case of wealthier nations)- allocation of publicly funded entitlements.