After the success of UAVs, govt plans to scale up use of advanced surveillance gadgets
Upbeat with the performance of Israeli Herons unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Centre is now planning to scale up the usage of hi-tech surveillance for deeper penetration into enemy strongholds. The UAVs for the first time, enabled security forces to move in the impregnable Maoist liberated zone of Abujhmaad forests and played a significant role in browbeating red rebels by tracking Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon, The ministry of home affairs has approved the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) requisition of buying a variety of UAVs, to get precise information of Maoist hideouts without sacrificing men.
The smaller UAVs can fly even below tree level to verify information based on the imagery and coordinates sent by Herons. CRPF has even successfully tested a smaller version called Netra in Bijapur recently.
The security forces are also likely to get technical help from the recently launched radar imaging satellite Risat-1. Equipped with C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), Risat 1 enables imaging through bad weather conditions during both day and night and has very high penetration capabilities and gives clear images of up to one metre resolution, sources said.
After sorting out initial glitches with the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) that was reluctant to post its men in the tribal heartland, security forces are now getting continuous flow of information and imagery with coordinates from the UAVs.
Highly placed sources told DNA that the NTRO has closed down its operations in Dehradun and shifted its team to manage three medium-range Herons which includes translating and decoding the imagery into precise co-ordinates and signatures on the ground that come handy for the security forces during operations with the help of GPS enabled phones.
“This has made it difficult for the Maoists to assemble in large numbers with weapons. Perhaps this is why open skirmishes with security forces have reduced and the Maoists have changed their tactics to abduction,” sources said.
Penetration of mobile phones in the tribal hinterland can give another headache to Maoists. The MHA, with the help of the department of telecommunication, has roped in BSNL to install towers and operate mobile phones in all the Maoist affected districts.
BSNL would be constructing over 3000 towers in relatively safe places like police stations and CRPF camps.
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