DNA Edit: Betting on technology for security

The recurring terror attacks on military bases has wisely prompted the Army, Navy and Air Force to bolster security at vital installations and camps with electronic surveillance. 

The age-old method of posting sentries to guard the perimeter of these bases have proved inadequate in ensuring foolproof security, evident from the daring attacks by extremely motivated, heavily armed fidayeen last year. The attacks on the Pathankot Air Force Station, the brigade headquarters at Uri, and the artillery unit in Nagrota, close to the 16 Corps headquarters, and the latest on a GREF camp in Jammu provide clear indications of the terrorists’ strategy. They are entering in small numbers and hoping to wreak maximum damage on installations, soldiers, and their morale. Fortunately, all the attacks so far have been foiled before the terrorists could cause greater damage. Relying on preparedness, courage, providence, and luck can only take you so far when the enemy is motivated to the extent of ascribing no value to his own life and is bent on the path of destruction. 

Technology can provide those precious extra seconds or minutes that can give an upper hand to soldiers in their fight against the terrorists who exploit the cover of darkness and the surprise element. In this context, the decision of the armed forces to go in for electronic surveillance through cameras, entry intrusion detection systems and infra red lights is important. Technology can surmount the limitations of the human eye and the impossibility of physical presence of sentries at every nook and corner. As DNA reported, the entry intrusion detection system can spot movement even 200 metres away and alert sentries. The Border Security Force faces a far more complicated problem. Unlike the finite perimeter around military installations, the Line of Control is 740 kilometres long. Fencing over the Line of Control has helped eliminate infiltration to a large extent along with the electrification of fences, and installation of a network of motion sensors, thermal imaging devices, lighting systems and alarms. With avenues for overground infiltration shrinking, the BSF discovered two tunnels in the RS Pura and Samba sectors last year.  Uncovering tunnels would require technology that detects seismic activity. Even here, the BSF is reportedly testing an experimental technology. 

The emphasis on defensive measures like surveillance reveals the multiple fronts on which the armed forces must pursue defence modernisation. Technology infusion also has the unintended effect of dulling human agency. The forces must guard against complacency and the state of vigil must be maintained at a high pitch.