Author: S Balakrishnan
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 14, 2006
The recent seizure of several kilos of RDX
and AK-47 rifles by the anti-terrorist squad (ATS) of the state police was
the result of superb surveillance of terrorist activities by the intelligence
bureau (IB).
The bureau has been closely monitoring the
activities of suspects for several months. Their movements from Jammu and
Kashmir and other states have been put under the scanner. The IB has a dedicated
team of officers who are experts in monitoring terrorism and terrorism-related
activities.
A "technical operation", which involves
electronic surveillance, was mounted and quality intelligence about the movement
of the Laskhar-e-Taiba terrorists and their supporters in Maharashtra was
gathered. The information, thus gathered, was Passed on to the anti-terrorist
squad, which swung into action and effected the seizure.
Sources in the IB said what was worrying them
was the extent of penetration into rural Maharashtra by the LeT, which has
set up its cells in Aurangabad, Malegaon, Beed, Parbhani, Akola and other
districts. Hundreds of jobless youths have been taken to Pakistan for training
in arms. These youths are smuggled into Bangladesh and taken to Pakistan by
using forged travel documents.
"In the past, youths from the Mumbai
Thane belt were recruited, but now the LeT has spread its tentacles into Maharashtra's
interiors," a source added. The LeT now has a large number of supporters
and financiers in Maharashtra. The state intelligence machinery and the city's
special branch appear to be ill-equipped to deal with the growing menace.
Policemen regard their posting in the intelligence wings as punishment postings
and they try to get out as soon as possible. "To be able to gather quality
information on terrorist activities in real time calls for a certain bent
of mind, motivation and indepth study. This qualities are lacking in many
of the state intelligence personnel," said a senior police official.
